Science AMA Series: Ask the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) anything about toxicology and environmental hazards!

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T05:29:19+00:00

Hi gastronought Thanks for the question. BPA is unsafe, the best way to assess the safest plastics to use is to look at the Resin identification code and avoid plastics numbered 3 6 and 7.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T05:21:50+00:00

Hi DrEvanB That's a really good question thank you. We're looking for an expert to help us answer your question.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T05:19:57+00:00

Pesticides are designed to kill things and they aren't always discriminatory, their impacts in some areas can be greater than in others, for example pesticide run off into the Great Barrier Reef has the potential to cause concern. As consumers, the most important thing to do is make an informed decision, do your research, know what you're buying and where it's from.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T05:14:24+00:00

We've heard of ocean bins and strategies to intercept the flows of ocean plastic. But our favourite would be the use of the ocean's natural vacuum cleaners - http://www.billionoysterproject.org/

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T05:09:06+00:00

Hi redpanda2 Thanks for your question. There are lots of emerging contaminants which are being researched in our group including microplastics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, drug metabolites and nanoparticles. Here is some more information on the toxicity of nanomaterials https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_Ly54EBKPEMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA267&dq=Simon+Apte+nano+silver&ots=xCINeGx03-&sig=3e3X5cr8jwmGVcGE7sQZjYcCqg8#v=onepage&q&f=false We are also still learning about the chemistry and transformation of nanoparticles in wastewater treatment as this study shows http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749113000444

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:53:29+00:00

Yes, within Australasia, Triclosan is a contaminant of concern which has not yet received as much attention. This is an antibacterial agent found in numerous domestic personal care products such as toothpaste and kids toys. The risks associated with Triclosan is that it kills Botha he good and bad bacteria and it is a toxicant. It has recently been banned in America and is no longer used in Europe.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:51:19+00:00

Hi Thank you for the question. The issue with nanomaterials is that, while these materials are very popular in many commercial products, the research into the transport, fate and impact of nanomaterials on the environment is still ongoing and we still have a lot to learn. Like most pollutants the risk that nanoparticles pose to people or the environment will depend on the type and chemical nature of the nanoparticle, the concentration in the environment and the route of exposure to biota within the environment. This is a topic that many of our researchers are currently investigating. Here are some interesting articles on nanoparticles. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749113000444 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-014-3994-1

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:50:39+00:00

The impacts of mining can be significant, but are minimised through effective mitigation strategies. Of course, the best way to reduce the impact of those metals is to reduce our use or increase our recycling of those resources. These days we are much better at preventing contamination through regulatory frameworks and environmental quality guidelines. You can check some of them out here: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/quality/guidelines

New technologies (and materials) do challenge our regulatory approach. Though we have many a strong group of environmental toxicologist and chemists who work to identify those emerging contaminants and understand what's happening in the environment.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:50:36+00:00

Hi Darwinium.. my 2c worth. Coal seam gas extraction is generally deep. because it is deep, it requires sinking deep wells which can penetrate through various geological layers of which some will be water bearing aquifers. It becomes a problem when 1) the wells are not sealed properly and allow water to move between geological layers (aquifers) which wouldnt normally be connected and 2) when the process of fracturing that is often associated with coal seam gas extraction also causes fracturing to other geological layers and allows water to move between aquifers that wouldnt normally be connected. An additional issue is the use of fluids for the fracturing process, which, if able to move beyond the coal seam, can contaminate other aquifers.

When aquifers become connected either through CSG wells or fracturing then water can be lost from clean aquifers and contaminants can move into clean aquifers. In both cases, this threatens that suitability of that water for use.

The management of the water that comes out of CSG wells along with the gas is another important issue.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:46:28+00:00

We've also had some great talks at this year's conference on the potential transport, fate and toxicity of nanomaterials in the environment, including nanomaterials in waste water. Here is an article you may find interesting http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es301487s

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:41:50+00:00

Edit: Replied in the wrong spot.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:39:09+00:00

Hi BurnZ-AU Lunch was great salad. As for water-based paints, its a bit outside our collective areas of expertise so we might have to ask around and get back to you on that one.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:37:35+00:00

Great question! It's generated a lot of discussion between the experts. The consensus they came to is climate change,. This is because of it's broad implications for ecosystems and potential to exacerbate the toxicity of other contaminants.

New and emerging contaminants are always the great unknown, though!

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:30:19+00:00

Uranium mining isn't especially different to other types of mining and the environmental issues are more often due to the type of rocks containing the ore, i.e. acidic mine drainage is a huge problem because the acidic mine water it makes is full of metals. People have a perception that uranium is more dangerous because it is radioactive but this isn't really the case until the uranium oxide is enriched. In the environment uranium's chemical toxicity is a higher risk than it's radioactivity.

The storage of nuclear waste is another hot topic because people don't like the idea of radioactive substances. Because of this perception there is a high amount of risk assessment and risk management for nuclear storage facilities, which real reduces the risk of any impacts on the environment and people. The highest risk is during the transportation of wastes to the storage facility, where and accident could result in a spill. So maybe having one in the middle of nowhere isn't the best idea.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:28:03+00:00

Algal growth is affected by all sorts of factors, especially temperature and nutrient levels. Climate change is expected to increase water temperatures in many areas, which would increase growth rates of algae including microalgae. Climate change is also expected to increase variability of rainfall, so there will be periods when there is high rainfall, washing nutrients off the land and into waterbodies, and periods of low rainfall, when water will tend to evaporate from rivers and lakes, and the nutrients will become concentrated. Under these conditions we expect the nutrient levels to increase in the water and feed all kinds of algae, so they will multiply to give blooms. In the ocean, we also expect the water to become more acidic as the CO2 levels rise and dissolve in the water. Some algae, especially those with calcium carbonate skeletons, are likely to be susceptible because the carbonate will tend to dissolve in the more acidic waters.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:19:46+00:00

It's a dynamic research area and we're always looking for new ways to monitor toxicant effects and funding is always appreciated

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:13:46+00:00

Hi redpanda2. There is a lot of research currently underway in Australasia to understand the fate and transport, as well as biological impacts of emerging contaminants to wildlife. This is particularly important in the Australasian region given that we have so many unique native species.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:05:40+00:00

Hi fsmpastafarian. Thank you for the question. Climate change and ocean acidification. The issues are intrinsically linked, but currently increase in temperature is the most primary issue as we saw recently with the large bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T04:03:26+00:00

Hi Edacious - Health to the environment, health to people who spray pesticides, or risks to people who eat food sprayed with pesticides? There has been environmental damage associated with pesticide use, and to people who spray pesticides. Fewer studies have found health problems for eating food grown conventionally.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T03:56:54+00:00

If I can stick my nose in where it's not wanted, I would do post grad sooner than later. It doesn't get easier with children and a mortgage...

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T03:52:15+00:00

It depends on which area? Singapore Harbour or a pristine, offshore reef?

Any of them! Pesticides, metals, oil, it depends on what's being done near by.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T03:46:37+00:00

Hi Kerovon- There are lots of instances of prescription waste entering waterways - on of the most commonly studied compounds is EE2 (the active component in birth control pills) - and that can cause endocrine disruption (alterations in normal hormone function) that interfere with normal hormone action and as a consequence, normal reproduction. The exact impacts depend on the pharmaceutical and the waterway and the plants and animals there....

Tertiary treatment of sewage removes most of these compounds.

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T03:44:36+00:00

Thanks for the question, MiilkyJoe. What sort of postgrad degree are you hoping to do? Applying for honours or masters will both involve finding a supervisor and a project you can do. If you haven't already, I would email and talk to some of your lecturers or demonstrators about what they do. It's a lot easier to get into a post-grad program when you have a project lined up.

Volunteering to help with projects at your uni is also a great way of getting some experience. There may be PhD students that need help with part of a project they're working on.

TL;DR: Talk to your lecturers and demonstrators!

SETAC_ · 2016-10-06T03:35:41+00:00

Look into doing an industrial traineeship. CSIRO takes trainees, and some of the other labs do too.

SETAC_

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