Alistair Boxall
@alistairboxall.bsky.social
Alistair is Professor in Environmental Science at the University of York. Alistair’s research focuses on understanding emerging and future ecological and health risks of chemical pollutants.
Our new paper 'Silent Side Effects: Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants of Emerging Concern' is now out in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources. Thanks to @davetickner.bsky.social and @wwf.org.uk who supported the work behind the manuscript. www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
Silent Side Effects: Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are emitted to the environment via various pathways. Consequently, there are concerns over the potential impacts of APIs in the environment on ecological and h...
www.annualreviews.org
October 7, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Our new paper 'Silent Side Effects: Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants of Emerging Concern' is now out in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources. Thanks to @davetickner.bsky.social and @wwf.org.uk who supported the work behind the manuscript. www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
Will Joshua Templeton spent two days with us working on a photo shoot for an outreach event we are working on. We visited a few of our river monitoring sites and met some of the monitoring team.
August 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Will Joshua Templeton spent two days with us working on a photo shoot for an outreach event we are working on. We visited a few of our river monitoring sites and met some of the monitoring team.
I had an enjoyable two days this week hosting a TV crew from South Korea. They took lots of footage covering different aspects of our work on chemical pollution in rivers. The documentary should be released in December.
August 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I had an enjoyable two days this week hosting a TV crew from South Korea. They took lots of footage covering different aspects of our work on chemical pollution in rivers. The documentary should be released in December.
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
‘Even if we stop drinking we will be exposed’: A French region has banned tap water. Is it a warning for the rest of Europe?
‘Even if we stop drinking we will be exposed’: A French region has banned tap water. Is it a warning for the rest of Europe?
Forever chemicals have polluted the water supply of 60,000 people, threatening human health, wildlife and the wider ecosystem. But activists say this is just the tip of the Pfas iceberg
www.theguardian.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
‘Even if we stop drinking we will be exposed’: A French region has banned tap water. Is it a warning for the rest of Europe?
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
You can hear from @alistairboxall.bsky.social on the state of chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers in this recent @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social Merchant Adventurer's Science Discovery Lecture ▶️
Rivers at Risk: The chemical cocktail in Yorkshire's watercourses - Alistair Boxall
YouTube video by York Ideas
youtu.be
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You can hear from @alistairboxall.bsky.social on the state of chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers in this recent @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social Merchant Adventurer's Science Discovery Lecture ▶️
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
The full report into concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters is available to download from the @fidrango.bsky.social website. A visual summary is also available 📃
Concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters - Fidra
This study monitored TFA concentrations at 54 locations covering 32 rivers across the UK and throughout all seasons
www.fidra.org.uk
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The full report into concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters is available to download from the @fidrango.bsky.social website. A visual summary is also available 📃
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
@alistairboxall.bsky.social and his team have, once again, revealed the dire state of our waterways....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Forever chemical' TFA found in all but one of tested UK rivers
The long-term impact of the chemical on human health is still unclear and being researched.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 5:36 AM
@alistairboxall.bsky.social and his team have, once again, revealed the dire state of our waterways....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
The list of everyday pollutants is a long one, and they could be as damaging to our water ecosystems as sewage spills
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Brilliant to spot @alistairboxall.bsky.social on Slovenian television, sharing his water quality and micro-plastics research expertise with international audiences 👇🌍
365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/sloven... (00:50)
#YorkResearch #waterquality #microplastics
365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/sloven... (00:50)
#YorkResearch #waterquality #microplastics
Tudi pri nas je voda onesnažena z mikroplastiko
365.rtvslo.si
June 9, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Brilliant to spot @alistairboxall.bsky.social on Slovenian television, sharing his water quality and micro-plastics research expertise with international audiences 👇🌍
365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/sloven... (00:50)
#YorkResearch #waterquality #microplastics
365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/sloven... (00:50)
#YorkResearch #waterquality #microplastics
An interesting article in Earth.com on exposure of sharks in Brazil to cocaine.
www.earth.com/news/cocaine...
www.earth.com/news/cocaine...
"Cocaine sharks" found off the coast of Brazil - strange but true tale of ocean pollution consequences
Meet the "cocaine sharks," also known as Brazilian sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, zipping around cocaine saturated coastal waters.
www.earth.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
An interesting article in Earth.com on exposure of sharks in Brazil to cocaine.
www.earth.com/news/cocaine...
www.earth.com/news/cocaine...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
An important @theguardian.com article on @alistairboxall.bsky.social's research: "A study of #Yorkshire’s rivers is helping scientists understand the impact everyday pollutants are having on waterways – and the results are sobering" 👇🌍
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#York #YorkResearch
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#York #YorkResearch
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
The list of everyday pollutants is a long one, and they could be as damaging to our water ecosystems as sewage spills
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
An important @theguardian.com article on @alistairboxall.bsky.social's research: "A study of #Yorkshire’s rivers is helping scientists understand the impact everyday pollutants are having on waterways – and the results are sobering" 👇🌍
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#York #YorkResearch
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#York #YorkResearch
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
There are many sources of chemical pollution in our rivers, but tertiary treatment for sewage could clean up the meds that pass straight through us & down the loo, household cleaning products, chemicals from skin care, hair care, washing clothes & food. 1/
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
May 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
There are many sources of chemical pollution in our rivers, but tertiary treatment for sewage could clean up the meds that pass straight through us & down the loo, household cleaning products, chemicals from skin care, hair care, washing clothes & food. 1/
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Ibuprofen can affect fish hatching, diclofenac impacts fish livers, flea treatments kill off the insects fish & birds eat - a cocktail of meds, pesticides, cleaning products, road runoff is poisoning our rivers - no wonder fish numbers are plummeting.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
The list of everyday pollutants is a long one, and they could be as damaging to our water ecosystems as sewage spills
www.theguardian.com
May 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Ibuprofen can affect fish hatching, diclofenac impacts fish livers, flea treatments kill off the insects fish & birds eat - a cocktail of meds, pesticides, cleaning products, road runoff is poisoning our rivers - no wonder fish numbers are plummeting.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
An excellent piece out today by @phoebeweston.bsky.social at the Guardian on our NERC ECOMIX project which is exploring chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our rivers
The list of everyday pollutants is a long one, and they could be as damaging to our water ecosystems as sewage spills
www.theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An excellent piece out today by @phoebeweston.bsky.social at the Guardian on our NERC ECOMIX project which is exploring chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Agreed - huge problem - @alistairboxall.bsky.social's review of pharmaceutical & chemical data in UK rivers found this prominently in UK rivers. Very worrying.
www.itv.com/news/2024-08...
www.itv.com/news/2024-08...
www.itv.com
May 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Agreed - huge problem - @alistairboxall.bsky.social's review of pharmaceutical & chemical data in UK rivers found this prominently in UK rivers. Very worrying.
www.itv.com/news/2024-08...
www.itv.com/news/2024-08...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
That’s an incredible sampling effort… look forwards to hearing about the results
April 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
That’s an incredible sampling effort… look forwards to hearing about the results
The ECOMIX project monitoring team met at the Merchant Adventurers Hall on Monday to celebrate the end of our year long study on levels of chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers. The group collected around 1000 weekly composites and generated more than 65000 data points.
April 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The ECOMIX project monitoring team met at the Merchant Adventurers Hall on Monday to celebrate the end of our year long study on levels of chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers. The group collected around 1000 weekly composites and generated more than 65000 data points.
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Switzerland is leading the world in purifying its water of micropollutants.
Hear how they are doing it in ep 2 of our Science Weekly series www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Hear how they are doing it in ep 2 of our Science Weekly series www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Streams of medicines: how Switzerland cleaned up its act – podcast
In the second of a two part series, Phoebe Weston travels to Switzerland to find out how the country has transformed its rivers, from sewage-filled health hazards to pristine swimming spots. She tells...
www.theguardian.com
April 11, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Switzerland is leading the world in purifying its water of micropollutants.
Hear how they are doing it in ep 2 of our Science Weekly series www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Hear how they are doing it in ep 2 of our Science Weekly series www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? A brilliant @theguardian.com Science Weekly podcast from earlier this week on our dept's important research into water quality in #nationalparks. Led by @alistairboxall.bsky.social 👇🌍
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
#YorkResearch
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
#YorkResearch
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast
In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the W...
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? A brilliant @theguardian.com Science Weekly podcast from earlier this week on our dept's important research into water quality in #nationalparks. Led by @alistairboxall.bsky.social 👇🌍
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
#YorkResearch
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
#YorkResearch
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
🐟🦈💊Drugged fish! Anti-depressants reducing fear of predators in perch, contraceptive pills altering gender of fish. @phoebeweston.bsky.social
investigates the medicines polluting the 'pure' waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
investigates the medicines polluting the 'pure' waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast
In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the W...
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM
🐟🦈💊Drugged fish! Anti-depressants reducing fear of predators in perch, contraceptive pills altering gender of fish. @phoebeweston.bsky.social
investigates the medicines polluting the 'pure' waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
investigates the medicines polluting the 'pure' waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
Anti-depressants reducing fear of predators in perch, contraceptive pills altering fish gender - @phoebeweston.bsky.social
investigates the medicines polluting even the seemingly pure waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
investigates the medicines polluting even the seemingly pure waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast
In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the W...
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Anti-depressants reducing fear of predators in perch, contraceptive pills altering fish gender - @phoebeweston.bsky.social
investigates the medicines polluting even the seemingly pure waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
investigates the medicines polluting even the seemingly pure waters of our National Parks, with @alistairboxall.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
The UK is known for its national parks: areas of outstanding natural beauty with crystal-clear streams.
But our most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals.
I speak to @alistairboxall.bsky.social for part 1 of our Science Weekly series on rivers www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
But our most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals.
I speak to @alistairboxall.bsky.social for part 1 of our Science Weekly series on rivers www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast
In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the W...
www.theguardian.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The UK is known for its national parks: areas of outstanding natural beauty with crystal-clear streams.
But our most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals.
I speak to @alistairboxall.bsky.social for part 1 of our Science Weekly series on rivers www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
But our most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals.
I speak to @alistairboxall.bsky.social for part 1 of our Science Weekly series on rivers www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
The Guardian has put together a nice podcast on our national parks study.
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast
In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the W...
www.theguardian.com
April 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The Guardian has put together a nice podcast on our national parks study.
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
www.theguardian.com/science/audi...
Reposted by Alistair Boxall
With @alistairboxall.bsky.social @alastairchisholm.bsky.social @lizsharpyorks.bsky.social @stormwater-jo.bsky.social it’s all known we just need the courage to do it
Today at The People's Commission on Water Sector we learnt this #peopleswater #time4change Find out more at peoplescommissiononthewatersector.co.uk/general-2-1-3
March 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
With @alistairboxall.bsky.social @alastairchisholm.bsky.social @lizsharpyorks.bsky.social @stormwater-jo.bsky.social it’s all known we just need the courage to do it