CRC CARE developed probeCARE™ to support cost-effective, in situ, real-time monitoring of water. This is used to improve management strategies for cropping and fertigation, using recycled water effectively and monitoring for possible pollutants to meet environmental protection agency standards.
Phthalates (also known as phthalic acid esters, or PAEs) are used as plasticisers in many consumer products, such as plastics and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and as solvents in adhesives, cosmetics and paints. Phthalates are one of the most common organic contaminants in the environment, but data about human exposure to them are limited.
A monitoring tool that can prescreen aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for the contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) would be incredibly useful to industry. Ideally, the tool could be used onsite or in nonspecialised laboratories, and have high sensitivity, specificity and selectivity.
