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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 22/05/2026

#SETACMaastricht was a blast, on so many levels! Really high quality science and inspirational plenaries collided with great organisation and a super venue with top-notch all veggie catering (and decent coffee!), making for what I heard a few times referred to as "the best SETAC ever".

Photo of an Auditorium taken from the stage, with a programme book and bottle of water on a table in the foreground.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 19/05/2026

Calling all #SETACMaastricht goers with an interest in exposure modelling! Come along to our workshop today at 4-5pm in Room 0.2. Everyone welcome. #SETACEurope

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 17/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who came to the UTOPIA training this morning! We had great discussions about how we can use evaluative models for scenario assessment, challenges in parameterization, and how we can adapt for regional/local contexts. #SETACMaastricht #SETACEurope @mattmacleod.bsky.social

Photo of a laptop with "UTOPIA training course" slides shown, with a presenter in the background presenting the same slides.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 15/05/2026

👥 On Tuesday, 4-5pm CEST in Room 0.2, we are holding a special session of the Exposure Modelling Interest Group, focusing on a vision to create an open-source catalogue of environmental processes, to boost reusable and FAIR exposure modelling. Co-chairs: @praetorius-a.bsky.social and Joris Quik.

Slide with details of the workshop, titled "Workshop on open and FAIR environmental emissions and exposure modelling". Room 0.2, 1600-1700 CEST, Tuesday 19 May.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 15/05/2026

Very excited to be attending my 10th #SETACEurope conference next week! It's going to be a busy time, with lots of exciting exposure modelling-related stuff going on 👇 #SETACMaastricht @ukceh.bsky.social

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 11/03/2026

I'm on my way to Saarbrücken to meet with colleagues from across Europe to discuss progress on the ETERNAL #GreenPharma project. I'm excited to share our latest work, incl emissions and exposure modelling to prioritise pharmaceuticals that pose the most risk to the environment. @ukceh.bsky.social

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 27/01/2026

Three of us from @ukceh.bsky.social are attending #SafePlastChem in Ascona, Switzerland, this week. We are sharing insights on plastic chemical release dynamics, environmental fate of microplastics vs chemicals and modeling to understanding fragmentation and leaching. @lxbllngs.bsky.social

Photo of three people stood in front of a view of a lake and snowy mountain.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 26/01/2026

There are worse places to sit to finish off writing a presentation! #SafePlastChem #Ticino

Photo of a laptop and coffee on a small table on a cobbled street, looking out to a view of a lake and mountains, on a sunny day.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 25/01/2026

It did depart eventually, which is a good job as it meant I got to enjoy these stunning Ticino views today!

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 24/01/2026

I'm on my way to Ascona for the SafePlastChem conference. I'll be presenting our latest modelling efforts to link plastic fragmentation and additive leaching to uncover the complex interplay between particle size and additives. Well, I will be if my delayed train from Paris Lyon ever departs...

Photo of a train station with passengers gathered on a concourse and trains in the background.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/12/2025

Using the open source FRAGMENT-MNP model (fragmentmnp.ceh.ac.uk), we predict that particle counts will fall below 1 particle/g soil after 600-700 days. Experiments showed that more than 90% of polymer carbon was mineralised within 270 days.

$Graph showing the mass fraction of initial mass (y axis) over time (x axis). The mass fraction is either in particulate classes (microplastics), dissolved, or CO2 (mineralised). The mass fraction starts as entirely in particulate classes, before rapidly transferring to dissolved and then quick onwards to CO2. After 100 days, approx 25% of the mass is mineralised, and by 400 days, the particle and dissolved fractions cannot be seen on the graph and CO2 makes up >99% of the mass.$

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 08/09/2025

I hate doing expenses claims...

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 15/08/2025

There will be no #GlobalPlasticsTreaty from #INC5.2. The Chair informed us at just after 6am this morning that, despite best efforts and a new revised Chair's text overnight, consensus could not be reached. #PlasticsTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 15/08/2025

It is 5.30am in Geneva and the final #INC5.2 plenary is scheduled to resume. The new revised Chair's text is many steps from being able to fully end plastic pollution, but it is a few steps in the right direction. Now we find out how countries will react. #PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 14/08/2025

Waiting for the final plenary of #INC5.2. Will it be this side of midnight?! #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #PlasticsTreaty

A group of people sat outside a large building with "Nations Unies" written on it.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 13/08/2025

Les Aubes - a series of free concerts every morning during summer from 6-7am on Bains des Pâquis. Completely free and the best bit is you can watch whilst enjoying your morning swim! #INC5.2 #PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

A crowd watching a band perform on the shores of a lake, with the sun rising behind

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 10/08/2025

I escaped from the madness of #INC5.2 and Geneva with a day trip across the border to the Chamonix valley today. The (literal) high point of my walk was Lac de la Perseverance (photo 3), which seems a very suitably named lake to visit right now! #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #PlasticsTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 08/08/2025

Some reflections on the first few days of #INC5.2 negotations in Geneva, towards a #GlobalPlasticsTreaty. Are the negotiations going well? Frankly, not really, though there are reasons for hope 👇 @ukceh.bsky.social #PlasticsTreaty #PlasticTreaty #GlobalPlasticTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 04/08/2025

Insightful screening of Homo Plasticus: Plastic Inside Us this evening, followed by an equally as insightful panel discussion. Lots of emerging evidence of the real health risks plastics pose to society, underpinning the need for a strong #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #INC5.2 #PlasticsTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 04/08/2025

Panel discussion on "science and research for an effective instrument": strong support for science-based decisions free of conflicts of interest, and a need for transparency in not just Treaty processes, but the data needed to support it. #INC5.2 #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 04/08/2025

#INC5.2 Conversation with Observers starts with @ingerandersen.bsky.social highlighting that UNEA 5/14 mandated negotiations for a strong #PlasticsTreaty considering the full lifecycle of plastics, with safe and sustainable production. #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 12/05/2025

Exposure modelling is a crucial part of assessing the risk from chemicals. Come and find out about the latest advances in exposure modelling at our #SETACVienna session on Wednesday! 0930 and 1140 in Hall D3, with posters up all day (172-194). @praetorius-a.bsky.social

Infographic with details about the SETAC Europe conference session entitled "3.02 Advances in Exposure Modelling Towards a Safe and Sustainable Tomorrow for Both Humans and the Environment"

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 10/05/2025

I'm fairly confident that I have never caught a DB train that wasn't delayed, and I've caught quite a few. Today is no exception! Though I suppose if they're *all* delayed, then at least you're more likely to still catch your connection...

A screenshot of train times showing a delayed arrival (1430 instead of 1411) into Frankhurt Flughafen and a delayed departure (1629 instead of 1601) from Frankfurt Flughafen to Wien Hbf

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 10/05/2025

#SETACVienna here I come! I'm taking a #FlightFree journey starting with the @eurostarnews.bsky.social to Brussels, then DB trains to Frankfurt and Vienna. Departure: 0704. Arrival: 2305 (if I make the connections!) Plenty of time to write that presentation! 😬 #FlyingLess @flightfreeuk.bsky.social

Photo of a Eurostar train waiting at a platform at St Pancras International station

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 26/03/2025

We studied a range of polymers - PP, LDPE, PA-6, HIPS and TPU - and quantified the release of water-soluble organics, as well as secondary micro- and nanoplastics (including their particle size distributions).

Three graphs showing the mass-based release of secondary microplastics, secondary nanoplastics and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the five polymers for three different aging protocols. PA-6 shows highest release of DOC and no significant particulate release. HIPS and LDPE show high microplastic releases and lower DOC and nanoplastic releases.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 11/03/2025

It's time for the return journey! After a weekend in the Tyrol Alps, I'm travelling back from Innsbruck via Zürich and Paris. Looking forward to some great views along the way! 📷 Skiing on Hahnenkamm, evening arrival in Zürich, early morning run up Zürichberg

Photo of a ski piste along a ridge, looking out over snowy mountains on a sunny day.

Nighttime photo of a river with lit up building in the background

Photo from a grassy slope looking out over a city and lake, with snowy mountains in the background.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

Made the connection with *lots* of time to spare, mostly because the Frankfurt-Vienna ICE is 30 mins delayed. Not too bad, all things considered - at least I've avoided an unintended overnight stop in Frankfurt!

Photo of a DB ICE train arriving at a platform on a sunny day.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

It's looking good for my connection in Frankfurt! 😌 And in fairness to DB, whilst their reliability might be rubbish, they do have a lovely app that keeps you informed how rubbish their reliability currently is!

Screenshot of the DB app showing journey times from Bussels to Tullnerfeld, with a transfer time of 36 mins in Frankfurt after a delayed arrival of 1549 instead of 1531.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

20 min connection in Brussels? No problem! The "short cut" was open (first time I've seen that in years - @seatsixtyone.bsky.social take note!) and so I was on the correct platform 3 minutes after arriving.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

Made my first connection to the @eurostarnews.bsky.social London-Brussels service with plenty of time to spare. A record 23 minutes from disembarking at Euston to the Eurostar departures lounge! I only have 20 minutes to connect in Brussels - let's see how that goes...

Photo of a Eurostar train standing at a platform

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

Today I will be travelling from Lancaster via Brussels and Frankfurt, and on the way back via Zürich and Paris. Making the most of an excellent value @interraileu.bsky.social ticket means the whole journey costs around £300 door-to-door. You'd struggle to fly for that!

Map of Europe with rail journey marked, which starts in Lancaster and goes via London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Vienna, Innsbruck, Zürich, Basel, Paris and London.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/03/2025

Early start to catch the train to Vienna* for an ETERNAL #GreenPharma meeting. If I make all of my connections (that's a big if!) I will be there before 11pm. A long day, but much more relaxed than flying. *Actually, Tulln, which is somewhere near Vienna #FlyingLess @flightfreeuk.bsky.social

The author standing on a platform at a railway station. It is back outside and the clock on the platform display reads 0437. Yawn.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 17/02/2025

A reminder from a holiday up in the north west Highlands last week that #plasticpollution is pervasive - even the most remote of Scottish beaches suffer. We need a strong #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

Photo of a large plastic container stranded on a sandy beach

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 12/01/2025

I wish the UK's winter weather was consistently as snowy and settled as this last week! A few photos of local snowy outings 📷

Photo of a rocky snow covered slope in the foreground, with a snowy hill and valley in the distance

Sunset photo of a snow covered hill track bounded by rocks, looking out to the sea and larger snow covered hills in the far distance.

Photo of the sun setting over a snow covered heather moorland

Photo of a tarn nestled amongst snowy hills

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 07/01/2025

Snowy pre-work runs are the best! (Except for all the waist-deep wading.)

Photo of a cloud inversion in a valley beyond a snowy hillside

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 11/12/2024

It was a pleasure to be one of the ETERNAL project reps at the inaugural in-person #GreenPharma Cluster meeting at the European Commission yesterday. The meeting brought together #HorizonEurope projects working towards a shared goal of making pharmaceuticals more environmentally sustainable.

Paz Sebastia presenting the ETERNAL project

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 09/12/2024

Off to Brussels for the inaugural in-person #GreenPharma Cluster meeting at the European Commission, where several EC projects studying greener pharmaceuticals will come together to discuss joint priorities and problems. #HorizonEurope

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 29/11/2024

Back from a super trip to the Llyn Peninsula. Sea, sand, sun and hills! 🌊🏖☀️⛰️

Photo of a sunset over the sea with a silhouette of a coastline on the left of the photo

Panoramic photo from a hill summit looking over a range of mountains (Snowdonia) in the distance.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 14/11/2024

Another day, another stunning commute! This time complete with a misty inversion. Don't worry, normal grey drizzliness will be resumed soon and I'll stop posting photos each morning!

Grassy field in the sun, with mist sitting in the bottom of the valley beyond and hills in the background.

Grassy fields with dry stone walls, with mist sitting in the bottom of the valley beyond.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 13/11/2024

Frosty morning commutes are the best ☀️❄️

Photo of a grass field and dry stone wall, with the sun rising over the shoulder of a hill in the background. There is frost in the valley.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 05/11/2024

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting a Euro-CSDMS workshop to envision future models of the natural world. Inspirational discussions & tangible next steps towards a thriving international community pioneering the next generation of environmental models! @csdms.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social

Group photo of approximately 30 people in a garden, with a backdrop of tress and hills.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 23/10/2024

Today's office! I'm on my way to Barcelona for the ETERNAL project general assembly to discuss all things #GreenPharma. It'll be a long day (5am-10pm 😴), but definitely better than flying.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 06/09/2024

Had a great recce of Rydal Hall today, the venue for our Euro-CSDMS workshop in October*. It's the perfect space for inspiring creativity, exactly what we want to envision the future of environmental modelling. Can't wait! *Weather not guaranteed! @csdms.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social

Photograph of Rydal Hall and its gardens in the sunshine

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 25/08/2024

Excited to share our latest paper, on the environmental risks of agrochemical inputs to oil palm plantations. We show the potential for significant risks, notably from metals and pesticides, but highlight a need for more data for a more comprehensive assessment. doi.org/10.1016/j.en...

Graph showing a species sensitivity distribution for immidacloprid in water. On the x axis is the no observed effect concentration (ranging from 1e-3 to 1e4), and on the y axis is the proportion of species affected. Markers shows individual data points for different species, and a line shows the modelled probabilistic species sensitivity distribution.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 03/05/2024

#SETACSeville here we come! Off on a sustainable train journey from Lancaster to Seville, courtesy of a great value pass. About 31 hours door to door, which is useful because I haven't written my presentation yet 😐 #SETACByTrain #FlyingLess #SustainableTravel

Photo of myself on a platform at a train station.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 09/04/2024

Excited to be attending my 1st Making Pharma in a few weeks! I will be co-hosting a workshop on "Protecting People, Protecting the Environment: Designing Sustainable Pharmaceutical Lifecycles for the Future European Regulatory Landscape", showcasing work in our EU Horizon Europe project ETERNAL.

Promotional graphic for the Making and Distributing Pharamceuticals Conference, 23-24 April 2024 at the Coventry Building Society Area. Register at www.makingpharma.com

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 11/03/2024

Fab journey down through France, Switzerland and Italy to Rome today. The closure of the Fréjus tunnel between France and Italy gave a good excuse to check out the wonderful views on the Geneva to Milano route using the Simplon tunnel.

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Sam Harrison @samharrison.science · 10/03/2024

Take a look at this itinerary and tell me taking the train over plane isn't fun! I'm off on a sustainable trip to Europe for an ETERNAL green pharma project meeting in Rome and collaboration building trip to TU Delft and the NL eScienceCenter. Plus a weekend off in the Dolomites ⛷️

Map with a train journey shown, from Lancaster to London, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Trento, Cogne and Rotterdam.

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