Below the Surface

Bond Villains, Broke Parents and Asbestos in Soils Assessments: A Wild Ride with Pierina Otness

Gunnar and James are back with another high-flying guest on their podcast! Somehow this episode feels very James Bond-ish.

Scene 1: The Asbestos Assessment Authority

Gunnar and James, sit down with none other than Pierina Otness - the undisputed authority on asbestos in soils (ASBINS) assessments.

Scene 2: James vs. James Bond

Gunnar feels that James needs an introduction worthy of 007.

Scene 3: Broke Parents Club

Pierina drops truth bombs: having kids is like investing in a black hole. Your wallet? Empty. Your sanity? Questionable. But hey, at least you’re broke together.

Scene 4: Research Papers and National Guidelines

The gang dives into research papers like treasure hunters. Turns out, the Western Australian guidelines on ASBINS were inspired by ancient scrolls hidden in a dusty library. But Pierina and her colleagues read them all, summarised them and produced a Bible-like guidance document that stands the test of time (and Gunnar is not impressed with the Bible comparison of course).

Scene 5: Pierina’s Masterclass

Consultants, listen up! Pierina spills the beans on how to ace an ASBINS assessment and Gunnar and James find it hard to become worthy Pierina disciples due to a lack of adequate training opportunities.

Scene 6: The Sydney Seduction

Gunnar, ever the smooth talker, tries to woo Pierina to move to NSW. Pierina somehow seems to be able to resist though. How weird.

Executive Summary: Pierina’s Awesomeness

Gunnar and James transform this seemingly mundane topic into an electrifying episode. It’s all thanks to Pierina’s awesomeness. Tune in - you won’t want to miss it!

Remember, dear listeners, asbestos might be hazardous, but this podcast? Pure gold.

Pierina Otness on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierina-otness-a1604355

The episode was recorded on 31 May 2024

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The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond

Measure lead levels in blood of house sparrows and accurately predict lead blood levels in children in that town. No way? Absolutely YES WAY!
That is exactly what Prof Simon Griffith with his PhD candidate Max Gillings have achieved in one of their recent papers.
From the outside it is all so easy. Go to an area with known high lead impact (towns like Broken Hill or Mt Isa come to mind), catch a few hundred sparrows, take a blood sample from each sparrow (non-destructively by the way), analyse the blood for lead (and all sort of other markers) and overlay the data to blood lead levels in children living in those areas that the sparrows frequent.
Establish that there is a correlation and explain why there is one as well. Then use that data to predict children's blood lead levels in areas where there is no good heath monitoring available. Publish the research and take a bow!
It is fascinating research, presented by equally fascinating scientists in a beautiful paper. Gunnar and James were both glued to Prof Griffith's lips and we are sure, so will you.
Link to the paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c00946

Simon Griffith links:
https://griffithecology.com/

https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/simon-griffith

https://au.linkedin.com/in/simon-griffith-07830719

Max Gillings
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=yIHdN_0AAAAJ&hl=en

https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/max-mclennan-gillings

This episode was recorded on 26 July 2024

Listen to Below the Surface and collect CPD points. We have confirmation that you can claim 0.5 points for every hour you spend with us under the Self Education Category

Contact: [email protected]

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The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond

The changed PoEO Act - way more than just increased penalties.
Gunnar and James found themselves in the company of not one, but two lawyers. While that usually is not a good thing no matter how you look at it, this time it’s not about courtrooms and objections, but it’s about environmental law. Darren Bick and Daniel Webster, Environmental and Planning Lawyers extraordinaire, joined the two for a chat about recent changes to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.
Now, chatting about legal jargon might not scream "riveting podcast material," but hold your judgment (get it?). Believe us, Gunnar and James manage to wet even the driest of subjects with humour and sarcasm.
Hat tip also to Darren and Daniel who not only showed their deep subject knowledge and an even deeper sense of humour but also a cunning ability to handle Gunnar's as usual borderline inappropriate comments.
https://www.bicksteele.com.au/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/darrenbick
https://au.linkedin.com/in/daniel-webster-36299982
The Australian Sustainable Business Group seminar we mentioned: https://www.asbg.net.au/index.php/seminars/asbg-recorded-webinars/615-nsw-s-new-environmental-laws-its-implications-seminar-17-april-2024
This episode was recorded on 8 May 2024

Listen to Below the Surface and collect CPD points. We have confirmation that you can claim 0.5 points for every hour you spend with us under the Self Education Category

Contact: [email protected]

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The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond

Bonded asbestos fragments have been found in mulch in a brand-new park in Sydney's suburb Rozelle. The ensuing panic in the public, associated finger pointing and running for cover by contractors, suppliers, regulators and of course politicians was as expected as it was to a degree amusing.

Gunnar and James simply had to talk about this. The episode was recorded on Thursday 8 February 2024.
The Guardian Article we mention: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/29/asbestos-nsw-findings-watchdog-epa-contaminated-soil-childcare-centres-schools-parks
The Mulch Order: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/wastegrants/rro16-mulch.pdf
The ENM Order: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/waste/rro14-excavated-natural-material.pdf

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The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond

In this episode, we delve into the question of dangers lurking in unsuspecting areas like our backyards and public parks. Join Gunnar and James as they discuss with researcher Ana Serra the findings of her study into asbestos exposure from seemingly mundane activities like lawn mowing or soil disturbance during landscaping or Council maintenance work.

• How many respirable fibres get released when a lawn mower drives over bonded asbestos fragments on the surface of a site?
• What happens when the spinning blades hit a fragment and the fragment gets propelled out?
• What happens when you do all this during a record breaking dry spell in hot and dusty Australian summer conditions ?
• Is there a difference in exposure levels when you compare members of the public who are nearby the work areas to the exposure of the trades people doing the actual work?
• What measures can be taken to avoid the release of respirable fibres during those activities?
• How do you best approach the subject with worried staff members and the public?

The 2019 study was funded by Liverpool City Council. Investing in research is often a challenging decision for local councils, but guess which Council's rate payers are sitting rather sweet now during the Mulchgate panic and enjoy the fruit of the research? Huge credit to Liverpool City Council for taking the lead and funding the research. What a great investment it turned out to be.
This episode was recorded on 15 March 2024.

Listen to Below the Surface and collect CPD points. We have confirmation that you can claim 0.5 points for every hour you spend with us under the Self Education Category

Contact: [email protected]

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The necessary disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this Podcast are the speakers’ own. They do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd or any Client, Supplier or other party related to 4Pillars or the speakers.
(c) Gunnar Haid and James Hammond