Chemical Pollution in London's Waterways

Dr Leon Barron is a chemist and environmental scientist at Imperial College London. He is interested in how chemicals impact our world specifically regarding what chemicals we use or are exposed to and where, how and when these enter the environment.

This presentation will focus on how chemicals enter the environment in urban settings through wastewater; chemical pollution from sewage sources, including many sites around Chiswick and on how this pollution changed in London during the pandemic.

Driven by a desire to find out which chemicals are harmful to humans and wildlife, and what can be done to mitigate them, Dr Barron is investigating new or ‘emerging’ chemical contaminants like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides and industrial chemicals in several of Greater London’s waterways including the River Thames.

If you would like to learn more about Dr Barron and his work you can listen to his recent BBC4 Life Scientific podcast.