What happens to the chemicals we use in everyday life once they enter the environment?

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Irene Bramke, Senior Environmental Risk Assessor at AstraZeneca.

Irene and I have a detailed discussion about persistence (how long it takes for chemicals to break down in the environment). With recent concerns around plastic pollution, PFAS 'forever chemicals', and broader sustainability goals, the persistence of chemicals in the environment has become one of the most urgent and pressing issues for policymakers and society.

Irene and I discuss the science behind persistence, and how it relates to the risks chemicals might pose to people and the environment. We also talk about recent regulatory developments in Europe, and how these are reshaping the future of chemicals management.

Our conversation covers:

• Irene's background and career journey
• Grappling with complexity - insights from studying soils in an agrochemicals company
• Industry's participation in regulatory science - then vs now
• Issues of environmental relevance in laboratory biodegradation testing
• The evolving policy landscape for persistence
• Non-degradable chemicals and the legacy P/vP criteria
• In the eye of the beholder - the meaning of word 'persistent'
• Implications of new policies - the PMT/vPvM hazard classes
• A troubling outlook - data gaps, transformation products, and questionable impact assessments?
• Reflections on OECD simulation tests as tools for persistence assessments
• Insights from AstraZeneca's Ecopharmacovigilance programme
• The importance of data quality in monitoring efforts - the CREED approach
• Shifting regulatory paradigms - hazard assessment vs risk assessment, and the need for continuing dialogue
• Can we get better at assessing persistence? High-throughput and predictive methods

PBT/PMT assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients - ScienceDirect

Environmental fate and effects assessment of human pharmaceuticals: lessons learnt from regulatory data | Environmental Sciences Europe

Overcoming challenges and advancing (bio)degradation guidelines: OECD TG309 revisited - ECETOC

AstraZeneca - EcoPharmacoVigilance Dashboard

Using environmental concentration exposure datasets in environmental assessments: The development of Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Exposure Datasets (CREED): Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

HOMEPAGE - imi-premier

Modernizing assessment of persistence and transformation products of chemicals – from new tools to implementation (23-October 24, 2025): Overview · HIFIS and Helmholtz Events (Indico)

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com

In this episode I speak with Dr Katherine Santizo, Programme Manager of Cefic's Long-range Research Initiative (LRI).

Since 1999, Cefic-LRI has funded over 250 projects (totaling approximately €90 million) to advance the scientific assessment of the safety of chemicals, and to improve understanding of potential health and environmental risks.

Tune in to hear first-hand from Katherine about the exciting work that Cefic-LRI does, and how this is helping to deliver progress in chemicals assessment science.

Our conversation covers:

• What is Cefic-LRI? The LRI mission, and what makes it different
• How it works - the LRI process from ideation to publications
• Tools and solutions to address key regulatory challenges
• Katherine's background and career journey
• Working across disciplines - integrating environmental science with human health
• Reflecting on the 25 year anniversary of Cefic-LRI
• Upcoming research projects: new approach methodologies (NAMs), mobility and biodegradation
• Other hot topics in chemicals safety research
• Cefic-LRI's contribution to persistence assessment science

Cefic-Lri – Long-Range Research Initiative

Determining the water solubility of difficult-to-test substances: A tutorial review - ScienceDirect

Cefic-LRI workshop highlights advances in chemical assessments aligned with evolving regulations – Cefic-Lri

LRI Marks 25 Years of Advancing Chemical Safety Assessments – Cefic-Lri

Cefic-LRI 25th Anniversary Commemorative Book

New funding opportunities for research on NAMs, biodegradation testing and mobility assessment – Cefic-Lri

ECO52 – Bioavailability, complex substances and overall persistence (BCOP): three themes to deliver a step-change in persistence assessments – Cefic-Lri

Developing a weight-of-evidence methodology for persistence assessment of substances in the environment | Earth, Space, and Environmental Chemistry | ChemRxiv | Cambridge Open Engage

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com

In this episode I speak with Dr Anna Zhenova of Green Rose Chemistry.

Green Rose Chemistry are a mission-driven consultancy applying the principles of green chemistry to help organisations to develop more sustainable products and processes.

Our conversation covers:

• What does Green Rose Chemistry do?
• Green chemistry as a grass roots movement - the need for education and champions within organisations
• How different sectors are at varying stages on the green chemistry journey
• The importance of language in communicating sustainability
• Examples of green chemistry solutions - chemical substitution vs functional substitution
• Reflections on connecting chemical safety with product development and other disciplines
• Avoiding tunnel vision and uncovering win-wins - a case with safer solvents
• What is green chemistry? 12 principles, 3 pillars
• On externalities - economic vs moral questions
• Chemicals in the environment, persistence, transformation products, and mixtures
• Dealing with overwhelm and working within your sphere of influence
• How do green chemists differ from traditional chemists

Green Rose Chemistry | Sustainable Chemistry Consultants

Beyond Benign

Green Rose Chemistry | Training

Advancing Safer Alternatives Through Functional Substitution | Environmental Science & Technology

12 Principles of Green Chemistry - American Chemical Society

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com