Chemical Journeys

In this episode I speak with Prof. Kathrin Fenner, one of the leading academic scientists in the study of chemical biodegradation and environmental persistence.

Kathrin and I have a far-reaching conversation covering her background and research interests, challenges and developments in chemical biodegradation research, and implications for policy and society. 

We have learned an enormous amount about the fate and persistence of chemicals in recent years, and the work of Kathrin and her group has been at the heart of this. 

Listen to the episode to find out about biodegradation of chemicals in different environmental settings, what factors contribute to persistence, understanding transformation products and pathways, predicting biodegradation for different chemicals and scenarios, and how we can utilise this knowledge toward safer and more sustainable use of chemicals. 

Works cited:

Innovate beyond PFAS | Science

Designing Small Molecules for Biodegradability | Chemical Reviews

Bridging across OECD 308 and 309 Data in Search of a Robust Biotransformation Indicator | Environmental Science & Technology

Developing a weight-of-evidence methodology for persistence assessment of substances in the environment | IEAM

Breaking it down: Unveiling the roles of chemical structure, concentrations and technology on micropollutant biotransformation in wastewater treatment plants - ScienceDirect

High-Throughput Miniaturized Biotransformation Testing Using Activated Sludge Enables Rapid Chemical Persistence Assessment | Environmental Science & Technology Letters

Read-Across of Biotransformation Potential between Activated Sludge and the Terrestrial Environment: Toward Making It Practical and Plausible | ES&T

Modernizing persistence–bioaccumulation–toxicity (PBT) assessment with high throughput animal-free methods | Archives of Toxicology

Do biotransformation data from laboratory experiments reflect micropollutant degradation in a large river basin? - ScienceDirect

Eawag-Soil in enviPath: a new resource for exploring regulatory pesticide soil biodegradation pathways and half-life data - Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

FAIR and Effective Communication of Data on Chemical Contaminant Biotransformation in the Environment | ES&T Letters

Confidently Uncertain: Probabilistic Machine Learning to Predict Soil Biotransformation Half-Lives | ES&T

Predicting Micropollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment Based on Molecular Structure: Benchmark Data and Models | ES&T

Persistence Assessment of Chemicals: Trajectories toward New Approach Methodologies (P-NAMs) | ES&T

Discover enviPath.org

In this episode I speak with Joanna Gavins, who is a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield.

Joanna and I discuss the language we use and how this influences the way we think, feel and act in relation to choices we make, the environment, and chemicals. 

We start off by discussing the work Joanna has been doing at the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) on how to effectively communicate information about sustainability to consumers. We also delve into our complex relationship with nature, and how this is influenced by language.

Our conversation then moves onto chemicals. We do a deep dive into the language surrounding chemicals in modern discourse, and how this influences public perception and emerging policy. We talk about the issue of chemicals in the environment, how this relates to us, and how we might get better at talking - and thinking - about these issues.

I hope you will find this discussion as fascinating as I did!

Plastic: Unwrapped podcast - Plastic Planet | The University of Sheffield Player

Human/Nature podcast | The University of Sheffield Player

White paper: Growing the UK’s Modern Industrial Bioeconomy

Effective Communication to Advance the Modern Industrial Bioeconomy - report

Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet - Tony Juniper

Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction - Sadiah Qureshi

Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology and the Stories We Live By – Arran Stibbe

Happy 2026, and welcome to Chemical Journeys Season 2!

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Fola Ogungbemi, Senior Expert in Product Compliance at Currenta.

Fola and I talk about his career journey so far, from student in ecotoxicology to senior regulatory consultant. We discuss experiences of early career scientists finding their next steps after completing a PhD, adapting to working in different sectors, the importance of staying open for continuous growth and learning, and the value of mentorship and support along the way. 

Fola also shares some of his personal experiences of relocating to multiple cities, finding friends and community, and his adventures as a DJ. We talk about Fola's journey with the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and that part that the organisation has played in his development. Fola also reflects on his Christian Faith and how this shapes his outlook and approach to life.

Fola Ogungbemi, PhD | LinkedIn

DJ with a PhD (@djfolaflo) • Instagram photos and videos

SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Watze de Wolf. 

Watze has had a long and accomplished career working as a scientist and manager in both industry and regulatory settings, including 15 years working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). 

We have a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and observations of how chemicals management has evolved over recent decades, and attempt to provide a diagnosis for the current situation and outlook for the years ahead. 

This includes:

• Watze’s background, career journey and people he worked with
• The tension between the uncertainty and complexity of science vs the need for clear and predictable regulation
• The importance of communication and meeting your audience where they are
• Contrasting sensitivities and drivers of behaviour in different industries
• The shift away from risk-based approaches, and the rise of persistence
• The importance of dialogue and the value of organisations like the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
• Understanding EU regulations as complex systems 
• Experiences with REACH dossiers, from both industry and regulator perspectives
• What it’s like for early career scientists at ECHA
• Discussions and experiences from the ECHA Member State Committee
• Thoughts on the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
• What a new harmonised classification of ethanol means for its ongoing use as a disinfectant
• The essential use concept and how it could re-define chemicals management in Europe
• Importance of EU Member State participation, and the impact of Brexit on regulatory discussions
• Regrettable restrictions and thoughts on the ongoing group-wide restriction of PFAS
• Thoughts on the overall direction of travel, broader technological and societal shifts, and the impact on science

Watze's website: rMSC.fi – rMSC

Member State Committee - ECHA

Trifluoroacetic Acid in the Environment: Consensus, Gaps, and Next Steps | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | Oxford Academic

Persistence Science Interest Group Pushes Forward with Global Collaboration and New Initiatives

Literature review on micro‐ and nanoplastic release from food contact materials during their use | EFSA

Reflecting on 40 years of regulatory developments in Europe – Peter Fisk — Embark Chemical Consulting

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

In this episode I speak with Dr. Steven Brennan, co-founder and CEO of Foresight.

Foresight is a software platform that helps organizations to make sense of complex and fast moving chemical regulations, so they can always be ready for what's coming next.

Steven and I have a nice conversation that shows how he turned his years of regulatory experience into a software solution that solves a key challenge - how to get access to key insights faster to understand and manage regulatory change. 

Listen to this conversation if you want to get a look into the world of startups and software as a solution (SaaS) from a chemical regulatory point of view. We also talk about aspects of building and growing a business, and some reflections on life as founders and keeping everything in balance. 

Our conversation covers:

• Steven's background and career journey
• The story behind Foresight - identifying an industry need, and developing a solution
• Features of Foresight - how the tool delivers advanced regulatory insights
• Applications and limitations of AI in chemicals regulation
• REACH Article 129 - Member State safeguard clause
• What kinds of customers are using Foresight?
• What process and considerations go into developing new features?
• Building the company - from startup to commercialisation
• The customer buyer journey
• Steven's work as a co-opted member of the ECHA Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC)
• Steven and Chris swap stories about life as founders

Follow the link to find out more about Foresight and start your free trial: Foresight | The future of chemical policy monitoring

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

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

In this episode, I speak with Janet Greenwood of TT Environmental. 

Janet has been working for many years in chemicals safety and regulatory compliance, and runs a community of regulatory professionals (the Chemical Regulations Self Help Group) here in the UK, and a regular newsletter (Chemicals Coffee Time) with over 4000 subscribers across the globe. 

Janet therefore brings an important perspective from regulatory professionals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working 'on the ground' to address regulatory compliance within the chemicals industry.

Our conversation covers:

• Janet's background and the origins of her community and newsletter
• Chemicals Coffee Time - during lockdown and beyond
• Janet's journey to becoming an environmental consultant
• Environmental permits, sustainability and ISO 14001
• Top-down procedures vs individual vigilance
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS), CLP labels, and the need to keep the end user in the focus
• Dealing with the deluge of regulatory changes in the EU and UK
• The impact of new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) 
• Reflections on the evolution and broader impacts of REACH
• The shifting chemicals marketplace and shared responsibility
• Views on environmental challenges, and the concept of stewardship

TT Environmental Consultancy Yorkshire | EP, IPPC, REACH, COMAH, ADMS & Environmental modeling

The Chemical Regulations Self Help Group – Peer support for REACH, CLP and other chemical regulations

Sign up to Chemicals Coffee Time weekly - Chemicals Coffee Time

Chemicals Coffee Time Monthly newsletter - LinkedIn

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

In this episode I speak with Professor Thomas Hartung. 

Prof Hartung is Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair of Evidence-based Toxicology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Konstanz. He also holds positions as Director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) and Field Chief Editor of the academic journal Frontiers in AI, and was the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Peter Singer Prize. 

We have a fascinating discussion about the breathtaking developments in AI and animal-free toxicology, and what this means for areas like drug development, chemical regulation, public health, animal testing, research ethics, the exposome, and the future of our society.

Our conversation covers:

• New Approach Methodologies (NAMs): the new automobile?
• Technological advances in microphysiological systems (MPS) and artificial intelligence (AI)
• The problems with animal models
• Challenges with validation and regulatory acceptance of NAMs
• The importance of education for uptake of NAMs
• Recent developments on US animal testing policy
• What is happening in the EU? Differences between regions and regulatory systems
• How AI is transforming research, and using it in day-to-day work 
• Implications of AI for quality of scientific publications and risk of bias
• The Human Exposome Project: what is it, and how can AI help deliver it?
• Environmental persistence, the exposome, and the public discourse on chemicals

NAMazing: Déjà Vu at the lab bench - Why animal-free science is the new automobile - ScienceDirect

NIH stops funding new projects which focus only on animal testing | Cruelty Free International

The turning point: April 2025 marks historic shift in US animal testing policy | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation

REACH out-numbered! The future of REACH and animal numbers | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation

A systematic analysis of read-across adaptations in testing proposal evaluations by the European Chemicals Agency | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation

Guidance for Good In Vitro Reporting Standards (GIVReSt) – A draft for stakeholder discussion and background documentation | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 | World Economic Forum

Assessing risk of bias in toxicological studies in the era of artificial intelligence | Archives of Toxicology

Is regulatory science ready for artificial intelligence? | npj Digital Medicine

How AI can deliver the Human Exposome Project | Nature Medicine

Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future

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