Researchers at The University of Queensland have a powerful new tool to help reveal the extent of environmental and human exposure to harmful contaminants.
The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography ion trap mass spectrometer will expand analytical capabilities in environmental and human toxicology.
Environmental toxicologist Professor Jochen Mueller and Dr Caroline Gaus of UQ’s National Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX) led the push for the new tool.
Prof Mueller said the new equipment would underpin leading research in environmental toxicology and chemistry.
“This facility will be dedicated to the development of methods and analyses of environmental contaminants and by-products that are currently not well understood," he said.
“It will allow us to measure chemicals much faster and more sensitively, as well as locate their origin, where they end up and how they contaminate humans and the environment,” he said.
The $500,000 purchase is made possible by a partnership, including universities, government organizations and utility companies, and a $240,000 ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Grant announced yesterday.
Partner organisations include the CSIRO, the NSW Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water, the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Bulk Water Authority, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, WaterSecure, Griffith University, James Cook University and the Queensland University of Technology.
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