The University of Melbourne's Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) has received an almost $2 million research grant from the Minderoo Foundation to lead a landmark project investigating Australians' exposure to plastic-associated chemicals.
Led by Associate Professor Brad Clarke, this project represents the first major success of the University of Melbourne's Pollution and Health Hallmark Research Initiative (HRI), which was established in 2024 to tackle the health impacts of environmental contaminants.
"Building on ALEC's advanced analytical capabilities and our innovations in blood microsampling and metabolite detection, this project will enable the development of vital tools to monitor and assess plastic-associated chemicals in the Australian population," Associate Professor Clarke said.
"We'll analyse blood and urine samples using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, empowering us to better understand how widely these chemicals are present in our bodies, with the ultimate goal of minimising their adverse health effects."
The project will also deliver new insights into vulnerable populations, such as children, and support the development of safer chemical alternatives and regulatory reforms.
Chaired by Professor Matthew Watt, the HRI unites interdisciplinary researchers to deliver high-impact, collaborative science. "The collaboration with Minderoo's Plastics and Human Health program marks a significant milestone for the HRI," Professor Watt said.
"This partnership aligns our shared goals to advance understanding of chemical exposures and accelerate efforts to protect human health, both in Australia and internationally."
"We are extremely grateful to Minderoo Foundation for this generous support, which will empower us to advance our understanding of the prevalence of plastic chemicals in our bodies, with the ultimate goal of protecting people from the harmful impacts of exposure."
Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Nicola Forrest AO founded the Minderoo Foundation in 2001 and continue to drive its philanthropic missions today, with Professor Sarah Dunlop leading the Plastics and Human Health Impact Mission.
"This Mission aims to identify causal links between plastics and adverse human health impacts and to find safe, sustainable materials," Professor Dunlop said.
"We're funding this project because ALEC is uniquely positioned to deliver rigorous, high-resolution exposure data that can shape policy and improve health outcomes."
Plastic-associated chemicals leach from products into our air, water, food, and beverages, and have been widely detected in human blood and urine samples around the world.
Despite mounting scientific evidence linking these chemicals to a range of health concerns, only a small proportion of the approximately 16,000 substances used in plastic manufacturing have been thoroughly investigated. Of these, more than 4,000 are considered chemicals of concern but nearly 90 per cent remain unregulated globally.
"This research will generate high-quality data on the types and levels of exposure Australians are experiencing, and how these may vary across age groups and vulnerable communities," Associate Professor Clarke said.
"It's a vital step toward ensuring our regulatory systems and health protections keep pace with the scale of the problem."
