Benzotriazoles (BZTs), benzothiazoles (BTs), benzotriazole ultraviolet (UV)-stabilisers (BUVs), nonylphenol (NP) and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) are classes of high production volume industrial and plastic-associated compounds. BZTs and BTs are mainly utilised as metal corrosion inhibitors in hydraulic and de-icing fluids, vulcanisation accelerators for rubber production and as biocides in textiles. BUVs are added in plastic products to protect them from UV-induced degradation. OPFRs are primarily utilised as flame retardants and as plasticisers. NP is an alkylphenol which is used to synthesize surfactants and antioxidants. Extensive use of these chemicals has contributed to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and as a result, has raised concerns regarding human exposure and their potential adverse health effects.
Human biomonitoring is the gold standard in assessing exposure to these chemicals as it incorporates all exposure pathways. Currently, there is limited understanding regarding human exposure to these compounds, particularly in Australia. This project aims to develop liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography tandem MS (GC-MS) based analytical methods to measure biomarkers of exposure to these chemicals in human matrices such as urine and serum. Age, sex and temporal trends of these biomarkers will be evaluated in the Australian population and will be utilised to understand exposure behaviours and/or sources.
Research Outputs
Conference Abstracts
Que, D.E., Ebert, K.E., Zammit, I., Ringbeck, B., Nilsson, S., Wang, X., Eaglesham, G., Toms, L.M.L., Hobson, P., Glover, H., Mueller, J.F. & Koch, H.M. Nonylphenol exposure in an Australian population using urinary biomarker analysis, Plastics2026, Brisbane, Australia, 1-4 March 2026.
Que, D.E., Zammit, I., Orr, J., Lopez Martinez, M., Cheng, Y., Nilsson, S., Jayarathne, A., Aldridge, E., Wang, X. & Mueller, J.F. Insights on short-term urinary variability and exposure sources of bisphenols and phthalates through Questionnaire- and Urine-based Exposure Source Tracking (QUEST), Plastics2026, Brisbane, Australia, 1-4 March 2026.
Que, D.E., Toms, L.L., Wang, X., Nilsson, S., Zammit, I., Prasad, P., Shiels, R.G., Eaglesham, G., Hobson, P., Langguth, D., Rauert, C., Thomas, K.V., Muir, D.C.G. & Mueller, F. Benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles trends in the general Australian population urine samples from 2012 to 2023, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
Que, D.E., den Ouden, F., Bosschaerts, S., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Zammit, I., Nilsson, S., Toms, L.L., Hobson, P., Langguth, D., Covaci, A. & Mueller, J.F. Trends of OPFRs metabolites in age- and gender-stratified pooled urine samples from the last decade (2012-2023) in Australia, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
Awards
- 2026 Winner Best Flash Presentation by an EMCA, Plastics2026 Conference.
- 2025 Commendation (tie) for the QAEHS Best HDR Student Publication Award for Trends of Benzotriazoles and Benzothiazoles in Australian Pooled Urine Samples from 2012 to 2023.
