Chemical pollution knows no borders

Laura Carter’s research has found hazardous traces of chemicals in plants, soil and water from Yorkshire to remote rivers in Nepal. Now she’s creating an international network of academics, industry and regulators to pool knowledge and draw up frameworks so we can better manage such pollution crises across the world.

10 to 20 per cent of drugs passing through sewage treatment plants are unwanted medicines

—Dr Laura Carter

Impact

• Local and global impact: informing policy frameworks by developing thresholds on safe levels of medicines for wastewater and sewage sludge use
• Knowledge exchange: the international network shares knowledge and research to create better solutions

Key information

• Funders: Natural Environment Research Council Future Leaders Fellowship
• Disciplines: environment, medicine, pollution
• Investigators: Dr Laura Carter

Keywords: chemical pollution, water waste management, run-off, clean water, hygiene