Our Know Your Neighbour events aim to bring together local members, facilitating discussions on key challenges and opportunities within their respective regions.
Scheduled to take place at the National Measurement Institute's North Ryde laboratories, this event will feature Professor Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist at EPA Victoria, who will be presented with the 2023 Barry Inglis Medal.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet NMI experts covering a range of fields including microplastics, pharmaceuticals and antimicrobials, PFAS, DNA reference standards, healthy waterways, Chemical reference standards & proficiency testing, inorganics, organics and chemical reference materials.
Participants will also be taken on guided tours of NMI’s world-class laboratories including:
• NMI’s Ultra-trace laboratory, Ultra-trace level detection of environmental pollutants including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dioxins, Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), Polybrominated diphenyl eithers (PBDEs) and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air, soil, water, biota and food.
• NMI’s Analytical Chemistry laboratories, which have deep expertise in water quality testing, for organic and inorganic compounds including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, banned pollutants, toxins, PFAS, industrial chemicals and emerging areas of concern.
Participants will have the opportunity to network over light refreshments at the close of the event.
This presents an exceptional opportunity for our members residing in Sydney and New South Wales to converge, network, and grow connections within the water industry.
This event is free of charge for WaterRA members and welcomes both WaterRA members and non-members alike. It is designed for water industry professionals from utilities, research, government and the private sector. However, due to limited capacity, we urge you to register promptly to secure your spot.
Registration now open. Login to register.
About the National Measurement Institute
The NMI plays a critical role in the Australian economy. NMI’s leadership of the measurement system ensures that Australian measurements are internationally comparable, traceable and recognised, in particular by developing and maintaining national measurement standards and administering the regulatory framework for ‘trade measurement’ (measurements determining commercial value). NMI also contributes to the health and safety of Australians, by developing cutting edge measurement methods to support management of food and environmental concerns.
Meet our Guest Speaker
Mark Patrick Taylor is Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist at EPA Victoria. He was previously a Professor of Environmental Science and Human Health at Macquarie University, Sydney, specialising in environmental contamination and the risks it can pose.
His research expertise covers environmental contamination in aerosols, dusts, sediments, soil, water and potential risks to human health. His work has focused on mining and smelting emissions and depositions, as well as contamination in urban environments spanning locations from Africa to Australasia and Europe to the USA.
Professor Taylor’s work has a special focus on ‘human environments’ including analysis of blood lead levels in children; firefighter PFAS exposures; and trace metals and microbes in bees, honey, wine, residential veggie patches, household dusts and drinking water. Topical research includes assessment of atmospheric trace metal emissions from wildfires and microplastics and human health risks, which has involved authentic and effective community engagement in environmental health science.