Dr Ben 🏴
@burfordben.bsky.social
Air pollution, airborne microplastics, airborne DNA, environmental forensics, running and mountains.
Cymro o Gwmtawe
Cymro o Gwmtawe
Reposted by Dr Ben 🏴
New paper out! 🎉
Our team published “A Quality-Assured Global Database and Multidimensional Analysis of #Microplastic #Toxicity Studies” in STOTEN.
We evaluated 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies using quality criteria developed to support #California’s regulatory needs under SB 1263.
Our team published “A Quality-Assured Global Database and Multidimensional Analysis of #Microplastic #Toxicity Studies” in STOTEN.
We evaluated 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies using quality criteria developed to support #California’s regulatory needs under SB 1263.
November 14, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New paper out! 🎉
Our team published “A Quality-Assured Global Database and Multidimensional Analysis of #Microplastic #Toxicity Studies” in STOTEN.
We evaluated 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies using quality criteria developed to support #California’s regulatory needs under SB 1263.
Our team published “A Quality-Assured Global Database and Multidimensional Analysis of #Microplastic #Toxicity Studies” in STOTEN.
We evaluated 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies using quality criteria developed to support #California’s regulatory needs under SB 1263.
An annoying day on the 9th section of the #Walescoastpath between Porthcawl and Port Talbot this weekend. 22km but a really poorly signposted diversion to an established route meant a near 4 mile detour, major backtracking and far too much time spent alongside busy roads. Not the most pleasant walk.
November 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
An annoying day on the 9th section of the #Walescoastpath between Porthcawl and Port Talbot this weekend. 22km but a really poorly signposted diversion to an established route meant a near 4 mile detour, major backtracking and far too much time spent alongside busy roads. Not the most pleasant walk.
Incredibly heartening to see @plaidcymru.bsky.social win in Caerffili, particularly when so much talk was about our valleys communities swinging significantly to the right. 47% of the vote in a record turnout is a real achievement. Da Iawn 👏
October 24, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Incredibly heartening to see @plaidcymru.bsky.social win in Caerffili, particularly when so much talk was about our valleys communities swinging significantly to the right. 47% of the vote in a record turnout is a real achievement. Da Iawn 👏
Great to see this assessment of evidence on the health effects of nano- and microplastic particles and fibres in the environment published by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), and an important comparison with traffic related air pollution 🧪: www.gov.uk/government/p...
COMEAP: Statement on airborne nano- and microplastic particles and fibres
An assessment of evidence on the health effects of nano- and microplastic particles and fibres in the environment.
www.gov.uk
October 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Great to see this assessment of evidence on the health effects of nano- and microplastic particles and fibres in the environment published by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), and an important comparison with traffic related air pollution 🧪: www.gov.uk/government/p...
Not sure it’s a great idea to live in a world that ignores due process, particularly when so-called democracies ignore it.
September 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Not sure it’s a great idea to live in a world that ignores due process, particularly when so-called democracies ignore it.
Cracking day on the 7th section of the #Walescoastalpath between Llantwit Major and Ogmore. Generally beautiful weather apart from a brutal squall a mile from the end. Incredible scenery, throughout though definitely the bumpiest stretch, with some steep quad burning climbs. On to Porthcawl next!
August 31, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Cracking day on the 7th section of the #Walescoastalpath between Llantwit Major and Ogmore. Generally beautiful weather apart from a brutal squall a mile from the end. Incredible scenery, throughout though definitely the bumpiest stretch, with some steep quad burning climbs. On to Porthcawl next!
I guess we weren’t careful 🫠
Cricket score if we’re not careful.
August 23, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I guess we weren’t careful 🫠
Proper Welsh weather today between Barry and Llantwit Major on the 6th section of the #Walescoastalpath, today. Absolutely hoofed it down for two hours then so hot that I’m very sunburnt. Lovely scenery when the sun came out and lots of industrial heritage on show too. Up to Ogmore next!
August 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Proper Welsh weather today between Barry and Llantwit Major on the 6th section of the #Walescoastalpath, today. Absolutely hoofed it down for two hours then so hot that I’m very sunburnt. Lovely scenery when the sun came out and lots of industrial heritage on show too. Up to Ogmore next!
Reposted by Dr Ben 🏴
"To coincide with #PlasticFreeJuly, the @bma.org.uk is launching a survey to learn about the NHS’s contribution to reducing plastics through initiatives such as increasing reusable equipment."
👉 www.research.net/r/NZbluesky
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
👉 www.research.net/r/NZbluesky
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
BMA seeks doctors’ views on sustainability efforts
Survey launched to gauge how far NHS is going to meet net zero
www.bma.org.uk
July 31, 2025 at 9:47 AM
"To coincide with #PlasticFreeJuly, the @bma.org.uk is launching a survey to learn about the NHS’s contribution to reducing plastics through initiatives such as increasing reusable equipment."
👉 www.research.net/r/NZbluesky
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
👉 www.research.net/r/NZbluesky
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
Genuinely don’t hear enough noise, pardon the pun, about this topic considering its implications on health. It’s visceral, we’re able to feel and experience sound in a way that isn’t so easy with other pollutants. Maybe because we’re exposed to sounds daily we don’t note its value or its harm?
Noise pollution harms health of millions across Europe, report by @eea.europa.eu finds
- The stress and sleep disturbance from noise results early deaths and disease, with children especially vulnerable
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- The stress and sleep disturbance from noise results early deaths and disease, with children especially vulnerable
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Noise pollution harms health of millions across Europe, report finds
About 110 million people suffer stress and sleep disturbance that lead to tens of thousands of early deaths
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Genuinely don’t hear enough noise, pardon the pun, about this topic considering its implications on health. It’s visceral, we’re able to feel and experience sound in a way that isn’t so easy with other pollutants. Maybe because we’re exposed to sounds daily we don’t note its value or its harm?
Very pleasant stroll between Penarth and Ynys y Barri (Barry Island) on Section 5 of #WalesCoastalPath. First bit was beautiful and found a plaque on Marconi’s first wireless transmission. Second half was tarmac into Barri but the front there is lush 😍 Can’t forget the Gavin and Stacey link, either!
June 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Very pleasant stroll between Penarth and Ynys y Barri (Barry Island) on Section 5 of #WalesCoastalPath. First bit was beautiful and found a plaque on Marconi’s first wireless transmission. Second half was tarmac into Barri but the front there is lush 😍 Can’t forget the Gavin and Stacey link, either!
How about no? Do they think we’re in the environmental version of the purge or something
? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Bidders demand Thames Water granted immunity over environmental crimes
Exclusive: ‘Ransom note’ requests would leave Environment Agency unable to prosecute company or management
www.theguardian.com
June 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
How about no? Do they think we’re in the environmental version of the purge or something
? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Will never understand how this is a ladybird, but nature is weird and wonderful 😲
May 31, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Will never understand how this is a ladybird, but nature is weird and wonderful 😲
@inaturalist.bsky.social Hi! I’ve been using the old app for years and have just installed the new one. I love the language choice option for the app. Could you enable a Welsh language option please? It would be brilliant if so, so I can use it in my first language 🤗
May 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
@inaturalist.bsky.social Hi! I’ve been using the old app for years and have just installed the new one. I love the language choice option for the app. Could you enable a Welsh language option please? It would be brilliant if so, so I can use it in my first language 🤗
A super warm 20k largely through Cardiff suburbs on section 4 of the #Walescoastalpath from Llanbedr Gwynllŵg to Penarth. Cardiff Bay is stunning, but that was a tarmacced slog, coupled with getting lost around a landfill site 🤦♂️ Hoping the next section is less urbanised (and cooler)!
May 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A super warm 20k largely through Cardiff suburbs on section 4 of the #Walescoastalpath from Llanbedr Gwynllŵg to Penarth. Cardiff Bay is stunning, but that was a tarmacced slog, coupled with getting lost around a landfill site 🤦♂️ Hoping the next section is less urbanised (and cooler)!
Bloke’s genuinely thicker than a submarine door.
Trump: "Basically what we're doing is equalizing. It's a new word that I came up, which I think is probably the best word."
May 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Bloke’s genuinely thicker than a submarine door.
What a great piece of environmental forensics Cornish tin was sold all over Europe 3,000 years ago, say archaeologists www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Cornish tin was sold all over Europe 3,000 years ago, say archaeologists
British team says new study ‘radically transforms’ understanding of bronze age trade networks
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
What a great piece of environmental forensics Cornish tin was sold all over Europe 3,000 years ago, say archaeologists www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Dr Ben 🏴
Thought we were filming a bird riding a thermal but it turned out to be a dog poo bag.
April 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Thought we were filming a bird riding a thermal but it turned out to be a dog poo bag.
Great to see another output from our airborne microplastic research project, HOMEs, emerge. This time exploring the presence of microfibres in air by room type. I’d love to see if the variations by room translate to an international context! 🧪 www.frontiersin.org/journals/bui...
Frontiers | Homes under the microscope: results from a pilot community science approach to measure airborne microfibres in the home
www.frontiersin.org
April 28, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Great to see another output from our airborne microplastic research project, HOMEs, emerge. This time exploring the presence of microfibres in air by room type. I’d love to see if the variations by room translate to an international context! 🧪 www.frontiersin.org/journals/bui...
What could possibly go wrong with allowing wood burners to be installed in new homes, knowing they release emissions into the rooms they’re in, as well as out of the chimney, particularly when regulations governing air tightness is also expected to be tightened 🤦♂️ www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wood-burning stoves to be allowed in new homes in England despite concerns
Campaigners condemn decision amid growing evidence of harm to health and climate from heating appliances
www.theguardian.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
What could possibly go wrong with allowing wood burners to be installed in new homes, knowing they release emissions into the rooms they’re in, as well as out of the chimney, particularly when regulations governing air tightness is also expected to be tightened 🤦♂️ www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Exciting!
The EU and Egypt have concluded negotiations on Egypt’s association to Horizon Europe - EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation 🧪
Soon, Egyptian researchers & organisations could apply for #HorizonEU funding on similar terms as EU Member States: europa.eu/!wfb7xP
Soon, Egyptian researchers & organisations could apply for #HorizonEU funding on similar terms as EU Member States: europa.eu/!wfb7xP
April 23, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Exciting!
Mint. Never in doubt 🫣
a soccer player with the number 20 on his shirt
ALT: a soccer player with the number 20 on his shirt
media.tenor.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Mint. Never in doubt 🫣
Another 20k of the Wales Coastal Path travelled, from Nash (Cil-y-Coed) to Peterstone Wentlooge ( Llanbedr Gwynllŵg).From wetlands to Industrial areas and back onto the Gwent Levels. If only the transporter bridge had been open for a crossing. Lush day for a walk though. A stroll to Penarth next.
April 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Another 20k of the Wales Coastal Path travelled, from Nash (Cil-y-Coed) to Peterstone Wentlooge ( Llanbedr Gwynllŵg).From wetlands to Industrial areas and back onto the Gwent Levels. If only the transporter bridge had been open for a crossing. Lush day for a walk though. A stroll to Penarth next.
I really wish follow up questions were asked to these veiled remarks. Just ask, what does back to British mean in the context of immigration (Genuinely, what is Britain/being British), instead of thinking it’s a good headline to use. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘We need to get back to British’: concern over immigration in Doncaster before local elections
Residents feel city is in decline and polls suggest Reform could take control of council from Labour next month
www.theguardian.com
April 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I really wish follow up questions were asked to these veiled remarks. Just ask, what does back to British mean in the context of immigration (Genuinely, what is Britain/being British), instead of thinking it’s a good headline to use. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I find this story both horrifying and hilarious in equal measure. If big cats and rose tattoos are signs of gang affiliation, then half the English fan base planning on heading to the US for the World Cup are going to end up in an El Salvadorian prison 🫣
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Homeland security apparently used British man’s tattoo to identify alleged gang members
‘Average man from Derbyshire’ shocked to find photo of tattoo celebrating child’s birth was used to deport migrants
www.theguardian.com
April 12, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I find this story both horrifying and hilarious in equal measure. If big cats and rose tattoos are signs of gang affiliation, then half the English fan base planning on heading to the US for the World Cup are going to end up in an El Salvadorian prison 🫣
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...