Project description
Building networking and collaborations for PFAS solutions
Plastics, lubricants and other materials contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – synthetic chemicals used since the 1960s to create products that can withstand water exposure and resist stains. However, PFAS end up in the environment and in human bodies, and information about how to deal with these chemicals is sorely lacking. The EU-funded PFAStwin project will support the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC) in Serbia in developing a scientific strategy for PFAS knowledge transfer, promoting networking and joint research, building capacity of the UBFC Grant Office and supporting knowledge dissemination and communication. Project work will improve UBFC’s reputation as well as its research and administrative profile in addition to creating optimised networking channels.
Objective
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals widely used for more than 60 years to make plastics, firefighting foams, and lubricants, and help create stain-resistant, waterproof, and nonstick products. However, they ended up in the environment and now can be found in the soil, water, sediment, accumulated in human bodies and represent a worldwide challenge. The Serbian national chemicals legislation recognizes these chemicals, but none of the existing scientific or governmental institutions analyze these compounds. In addition, a solution to the challenge of remediation is not in sight. Based on a number of publications in peer-reviewed journals, a number of international projects, and a number of students, the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC) is one of the leading scientific institutions in Serbia. This project aims to enhance networking activities between UBFC and two top-class counterparts, who are leaders in PFAS analysis (CSIC from Spain) and innovative (bio)remediation of emerging pollutants (BRGM from France). In addition, this project will focus on strengthening the research management capacities and administrative skills of the Grant Office from UBFC. This will be conducted through the development of a scientific strategy for dealing with PFAS (WP1), knowledge transfer in the field of analysis and (bio)remediation of emerging pollutants (WP2), networking and promoting joint research integrating creativity and developing new approaches for PFAS remediation (WP3), capacity building of the UBFC Grant Office (WP4), and through dissemination, exploitation and communication (WP5). The expected impact of PFASTwin is to enhance the reputation, research and administrative profile, and networking channels of UBFC and improve its capability to compete successfully for national, EU, and international research funding while simultaneously benefiting partner institutions through new contacts, skills, and collaborations.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
11001 Beograd
Serbia