{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100555"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100555","attributes":{"code":"DE260100555","administering-organisation":"The University of Queensland","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Queensland","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-04-01","anticipated-end-date":"2029-03-31","grant-summary":"Tracking absorbable plastic contaminants in drinking water. This project aims to investigate the occurrence, sources, and removal of absorbable plastic particles (particles smaller than 10 µm) in drinking water. Using cutting-edge analytical techniques, it expects to identify and track plastic contaminants in Australian water supplies and evaluate the effectiveness of household filtration systems to remove them. The findings should inform regulatory standards, enhance water quality management, and support safer drinking water practices. By providing essential evidence for policymakers, water utilities, and consumers, this research should help mitigate plastic pollution risks and strengthen public confidence in drinking water safety. ","funding-current":534320.00,"funding-at-announcement":530079,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Elvis","familyName":"Okoffo","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-8773-9761 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Elvis","familyName":"Okoffo","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-8773-9761 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Queensland","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"QLD"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Queensland","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"QLD"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"340101","name":"Analytical Spectrometry","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4104","name":"Environmental Management","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"410402","name":"Environmental Assessment and Monitoring","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"410599","name":"Pollution and Contamination Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"190205","name":"Environmental Protection Frameworks (Incl. Economic Incentives)","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"190299","name":"Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280105","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Chemical Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Canada","Ireland"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Plastic contamination in Australia’s drinking water is a growing concern that remains largely unregulated. Despite the confirmation of plastic particles in drinking water, accurately isolating, detecting and characterising the smaller absorbable plastic particles (particles smaller than 10 µm) that can cross biological membranes, through drinking water, remains technically challenging. Aligned with national priorities on water security and environmental sustainability, this project aims to provide the first comprehensive assessment of absorbable plastic particles in Australian water supplies. \nBy identifying the occurrence, sources, and removal of these particles, this research can inform regulatory standards and water treatment policies, improve risk management frameworks, and guide evidence-based investments in water infrastructure. By applying the latest techniques and developing testing frameworks, this research will drive innovation in water filtration technologies. This is expected to deliver both economic and environmental benefits as well as enhancing consumer confidence.\nTo maximise impact, findings will be shared with water industry partners, national and international pollution regulators and the community through media, workshops and forums. This should support community awareness and future targeted interventions and policy development, ensuring the research translates into meaningful action for a safer and more resilient drinking water supply for Australians."}}}