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In response to recent political developments in the U.S., many of our regular delegates have expressed concerns about traveling to Florida. Taking this feedback seriously, the INEF committee has decided to transition INEF 2025 into a virtual speaker series.
Each online session will focus on a specific topic and feature two live keynote presentations. Each session will conclude with a live Q&A, during which a session chair will moderate audience questions directed to both keynote speakers. The format and schedule, is set out below. To register for each session, please follow the link at the bottom of the session overview. |
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Emerging Contaminants - 23rd June 2025, 8 am- 11 am (MST)
Dr Carrie McDonougH
Title: Our Fluorinated Fingerprint: Per/polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Our Environment and Our Bodies
Abstract: By the late 1970s, fluorinated organics likely coming from commercial products were known to be present in human blood. However, due to the complex chemistry of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a complete understanding of the organofluorine burden in humans and other animals remains elusive to this day. PFASs (also known as “forever chemicals”) are highly persistent, ubiquitous environmental contaminants associated with adverse health effects in humans and other animals. The presence of thousands of PFASs, many of which do not have analytical standards, has made comprehensive characterization of PFASs using traditional methods impracticable. Studies published since the early 2000s demonstrate that a significant (and growing) fraction of total organofluorine in biological samples is not captured by traditional targeted LC-MS/MS. Until we understand the sources, exposure routes, and mechanisms by which PFASs accumulate in living things, we will not be able to predict or prevent associated environmental degradation or adverse public health outcomes. Here, I will discuss progress and remaining challenges in using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and other analytical techniques to comprehensively capture the total burden of PFASs accumulating in living organisms. While HRMS is a powerful tool, we still struggle to achieve exhaustive identification in complex, previous biological samples. I will describe our recent work using additional separation techniques (e.g., ion mobility spectrometry; biomimetic chromatography) and in vitro techniques to learn about novel and emerging bioaccumulative PFASs.
Abstract: By the late 1970s, fluorinated organics likely coming from commercial products were known to be present in human blood. However, due to the complex chemistry of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a complete understanding of the organofluorine burden in humans and other animals remains elusive to this day. PFASs (also known as “forever chemicals”) are highly persistent, ubiquitous environmental contaminants associated with adverse health effects in humans and other animals. The presence of thousands of PFASs, many of which do not have analytical standards, has made comprehensive characterization of PFASs using traditional methods impracticable. Studies published since the early 2000s demonstrate that a significant (and growing) fraction of total organofluorine in biological samples is not captured by traditional targeted LC-MS/MS. Until we understand the sources, exposure routes, and mechanisms by which PFASs accumulate in living things, we will not be able to predict or prevent associated environmental degradation or adverse public health outcomes. Here, I will discuss progress and remaining challenges in using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and other analytical techniques to comprehensively capture the total burden of PFASs accumulating in living organisms. While HRMS is a powerful tool, we still struggle to achieve exhaustive identification in complex, previous biological samples. I will describe our recent work using additional separation techniques (e.g., ion mobility spectrometry; biomimetic chromatography) and in vitro techniques to learn about novel and emerging bioaccumulative PFASs.
Prof. Shane Snyder
Title: Exploring the Great Unknown: New Tools to Assess Complex Environmental Mixtures
Abstract: Pollution never occurs as a few or even several discrete substances within the environment. Conversely, environmental contaminants occur within extremely complex mixtures of anthropogenic and endogenous substances. Monitoring programs often focus on a limited subset of contaminants based on previously reported or known propensity for occurrence and/or harm. However, many pollutants are not identified and realized until damage has already occurred. Synthetic chemicals were not part of the human experience until the late 19th century with the accidental discovery of the synthetic dye, mauve. Today, more than 65 million chemicals are commercially available, many of which enter the environment both knowingly and unknowingly. From a water exposure standpoint, not only are the chemicals themselves a potential risk, but also the innumerable transformation products formed during water treatment processes. Historically, analytical techniques to measure trace levels of environmental pollutants were time-consuming, labour-intensive, and technically-sophisticated. New techniques are rapidly evolving to measure ultra-trace levels of chemicals with automated and/or minimum sample preparation and detection by tandem and/or high-resolution mass spectrometry. Monitoring indicator compounds that provide specific information regarding watershed contamination and treatment process efficacy by high-resolution quadrupole mass spectrometry (QTOF) coupled to both GC and LC interfaces provides both targeted analytic information while simultaneously acquiring full mass spectra that allows a more comprehensive view of the complex chemical mixtures and results transformation products in water. Coupled with high-throughput bioassays, these techniques provide a new view as to the complex mixtures occuring in the environment and their potential impacts to health. Recently, high performance analytical platforms are coupled with advanced genomics tools which can even encompas pathogen monitoring in environmental samples, such as monitoring of the Sars-CoV-2 virus in municipal sewer systems, which can be normalized to chemical markers to provide a wide-population level evaluation of disease occurrence and transmission. Another recent discovery is that vulcanization agents which leach from tires are among the most toxic substances ever evaluated on salmonid fish. In our work, we chlorinate on of the common vulcanization substances known to occur in surface waters, and demonstrate that the resulting chlorination byproducts are more toxic than the parent compound, as evaluated through several in vitro methods. This presentation will demonstrate some of the latest findings and provide a view for the future of addressing the unknown world of chemical and biological mixtures in the environment.
Abstract: Pollution never occurs as a few or even several discrete substances within the environment. Conversely, environmental contaminants occur within extremely complex mixtures of anthropogenic and endogenous substances. Monitoring programs often focus on a limited subset of contaminants based on previously reported or known propensity for occurrence and/or harm. However, many pollutants are not identified and realized until damage has already occurred. Synthetic chemicals were not part of the human experience until the late 19th century with the accidental discovery of the synthetic dye, mauve. Today, more than 65 million chemicals are commercially available, many of which enter the environment both knowingly and unknowingly. From a water exposure standpoint, not only are the chemicals themselves a potential risk, but also the innumerable transformation products formed during water treatment processes. Historically, analytical techniques to measure trace levels of environmental pollutants were time-consuming, labour-intensive, and technically-sophisticated. New techniques are rapidly evolving to measure ultra-trace levels of chemicals with automated and/or minimum sample preparation and detection by tandem and/or high-resolution mass spectrometry. Monitoring indicator compounds that provide specific information regarding watershed contamination and treatment process efficacy by high-resolution quadrupole mass spectrometry (QTOF) coupled to both GC and LC interfaces provides both targeted analytic information while simultaneously acquiring full mass spectra that allows a more comprehensive view of the complex chemical mixtures and results transformation products in water. Coupled with high-throughput bioassays, these techniques provide a new view as to the complex mixtures occuring in the environment and their potential impacts to health. Recently, high performance analytical platforms are coupled with advanced genomics tools which can even encompas pathogen monitoring in environmental samples, such as monitoring of the Sars-CoV-2 virus in municipal sewer systems, which can be normalized to chemical markers to provide a wide-population level evaluation of disease occurrence and transmission. Another recent discovery is that vulcanization agents which leach from tires are among the most toxic substances ever evaluated on salmonid fish. In our work, we chlorinate on of the common vulcanization substances known to occur in surface waters, and demonstrate that the resulting chlorination byproducts are more toxic than the parent compound, as evaluated through several in vitro methods. This presentation will demonstrate some of the latest findings and provide a view for the future of addressing the unknown world of chemical and biological mixtures in the environment.
To register for this event, please do so here: https://eu01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cXE4zAfaQ5uomKhVnkRtMw