Top of the POPs Analysis

Swedish POP Analysis Laboratory Selected by Waters as a Centre of Innovation Waters (Massachusetts, USA) has selected the MTM research centre at Orebro University (Orebro, Sweden) as a new Centre of Innovation. Directed by Professor Bert van Bavel, the centre has extensive experience in the measurement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), developing new analytical methods for the tracking of POPs in the environment and quantifying human exposure.

POPs are regulated under provisions of the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty between 178 United Nations member countries formed to reduce human and environmental exposure to these chemicals. The centre is also only one of three European Union reference laboratories to contribute to the United Nations Environment Programme, which aims to improve POP analysis by providing training for scientists and advising other laboratories in state-of-the-art methods.

The centre is currently looking at the potential of LC–MS as a tool for the analysis of POPs, specifically fluorinated compounds. Swedish chemists have a long association with the measurement of POPs in the environment and van Bavel was previously a member of the research group that discovered the presence of brominated flame retardents (commonly used in upholstery) in whales and humans.

Matilda Ernkrans, a Member of the Swedish Parliament and the Chair of the Committee on the Environment commented,: “Waters’ establishing a Centre of Innovation at the MTM Research Centre is an important contribution to environmental research and a great recognition that makes me very proud. Last year, two MTM scientists tested my blood and found traces of dangerous chemicals including PCBs and DDT, chemicals which have been forbidden for a long time and are still circulating in the environment,” she said. “There are many of us who want to know more so we can have a better understanding of the risks we are being subjected to, and that is why the work that is being carried out at the MTM Research Centre with support from Waters is so important.”

For more information please visit:

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