About the lecture:
Straddling the line between technically detailed and well-founded information on the one hand, and media-effective ‘scare tactics’ on the other, this lecture will explain in more detail the scientific facts regarding the occurrence, risks, impacts and treatment strategies for polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS for short. The focus will be on conveying information in a way that is easy to understand and follow – even for the layperson – without generalising or downplaying the current relevance to people and the environment. The occurrence and introduction of PFAS compounds, as well as their impact on the environment – particularly on drinking water resources – will represent one of the greatest challenges for water supply companies in the coming years.
About the author:
Claudia Steinert has been, since 1992, a research assistant at the OWL University of Applied Sciences (TH OWL) at the Sustainable Campus Höxter on the Environmental Engineering study programme (Department of Civil Engineering and Environment). Areas of work include: practical and theoretical classes in the fields of water technology (drinking water treatment) and wastewater treatment.
Dr Kerstin Effers completed her PhD at the University of Cologne’s Institute of Organic Chemistry and has been working since 2013 as a chemist and environmental and health protection assistant at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre. From a consumer protection perspective, she focuses on harmful substances in a wide variety of products and buildings. Her aim is for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to be legally restricted as a group across the EU – and, better still, globally – and for consumers to be better informed about these ‘forever chemicals’.
“UPB for Future” lecture series
For the seventh time, the Educational Innovation and University Didactics Office, in collaboration with Prof. Dr René Fahr’s research group, is organising a joint lecture series on sustainability during the winter semester 26/27. The lecture series is entitled “UPB for Future” and is aimed at students from all disciplines and at all stages of their studies, staff, and the interested public. In a series of weekly lectures, the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability will be explored and discussed.
