Dr David Megson
Dr David Megson
Reader in Chemistry and Environmental Forensics
My profile
Biography
My research and teaching is in the fields of analytical chemistry and environmental science. I like to investigate sources of environmental pollutants and monitor their fate and transport in the environment using advanced analytical techniques including multidimensional chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry. Much of my research has an environmental forensics aspect which involves identifying the sources of contamination and establishing the magnitude of any human or wildlife exposures.
I am committed to facilitating the inclusion of contributions from all scientists regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity or nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status. I strongly believe that science is for everyone so as long as you are passionate about science you are very welcome in my research group.
Membership of professional associations
- 2019-2021 - Chair of the BMSS environment and food analysis special interest group (EFASIG)
- 2018 - Member of the FACTS Scientific Team/ European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency
- 2018-Present - Member of BSI working group (EH3/2) Water Quality standards committee (British Standards Institution (BSI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO))
- 2017 - Achieved status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- 2017-Present - Elected member of the RSC Environment, Sustainability & Energy Division Council (ESED)
- 2015-Present - International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) Committee member
- 2014 - Achieved status of Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
- 2010 - Achieved status of Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
- 2010 - Member of the Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SoBRA)
Editorial Board membership
I am currently an editor for the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment (JEEA) https://www.oaepublish.com/jeea
I am have also held positions as a guest editor for Emerging Contaminants, the Journal of Environmental Pollution and Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Expert reviewer for external funding bodies
I am currently a reviewer or have acted as a reviewer for:
- The Royal Society of Chemistry Research Fund
- The Royal Society of Chemistry ESED travel grants
- The Royal Society
- SERDP (U.S. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program)
- The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) (Government of Canada)
Consultancy and advisory roles
2017-present: Chemistry Matters - I currently work as a consultant for Chemistry Matters (http://chemistry-matters.com/) providing assistance with environmental forensics investigations
2015: Canadian Water Network - I was part of the team who produced a gap assessment investigating Landscape Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Development and Operations on Surface Water and Watersheds
2013: SoBRA - I produced a Report in Risk Assessment of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Groundwater, Laboratory Analysis and Environmental Forensics
Community, charity and NGO links
I am currently collaborating with WAP (https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/) to combat wildlife crime
Prizes and awards
- 2014 - Best student presentation at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) Conference
- 2013 - Best student presentation at the RSC INEF Conference
- 2010 - First place young member presentation at Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) annual meeting
- 2006 - Best student presentation at the RSC and International Society of Environmental Forensics conference
Personal website address
Projects
Since joining Manchester Met University on a permanent basis in 2017 I have obtained over £4 Million in research grants, consultancy projects and in-kind instrument donations. My research is highly applied and often involves collaborations with industry to solve real world problems.
Notable awards and research projects include:
Primary investigator
2024) £10k consultancy projects for Red Kite biomonitoring conservation programme
2023) £55k consultancy project to understand the chemical, physical and microbiological health of urban tree pits
2023) £35k AKT to test a prototype ambient ionisation source for real-time analysis of pesticides in tea
2022) £260k KTP with UBU Environmental to evaluate the End of Waste for recycled road sweepings
2021) £235k KTP with IWantPlants to investigate the effectiveness of green walls
2021) $250k NFRF grant on Environmental forensics of microplastics (Co-PI)
2019) £216k KTP with BCR to develop a new fine grain sweeping sand
2019) £88k Match funded PhD with Mount Royal university on aircraft cabin air quality
2018-2020) ~£20k consultancy grants with DeWipe to evaluate the effectiveness of contamination wipes
2017-2022) >£100k of consultancy grants with World Animal Protection on wildlife forensics
2017) £20k consultancy grant with Angus fire on PFAS analysis
Co-investigator
2024) £100k funded PhD project on Endocrine disrupting chemicals in waterways and the impact on the survival and breeding success of hirundines and other songbirds
2024) £1.6 M UKRI future leader fellowship providing support to perform pollutant analysis to understand drivers and impacts of insect biodiversity change across pantropical forests
2023) £230k KTP with IWantPlants to develop novel data science capabilities to understand on the benefits from living green infrastructure.
2021) £185k BBSRC grant on A proof of concept electrochemical sensor as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for the presence fungal pathogens
In addition to these large grants and projects I have also undertaken a series of smaller consultancy research projects (£1k-£15k) for companies such as: Chemistry Matters, BCR, UBU, IWantPlants, Frank Cannon Associates, AirSensa, Typhoo tea
Teaching
Supervision
The following scientists have undertaken post doctoral research / Knowledge transfer partnerships under my supervision
2023-2025) Dr. Daniel Niepsch, Processed Road Sweepings As A Soil Amendment For Enhanced Circular Economy
2022-2024) Joseph Rouse, KTP associate investigating the effectiveness of green walls
2022-2023) Dr. Gregory Bulmer,Proof of concept electrochemical sensor as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for the presence fungal pathogens
2019-2020) Dr. Daniel Niepsch, Analysis of persistent organic pollutants and air quality monitoring
The following PhD students have completed their studies under my supervision
Pennante Naa Ayikailey Bruce-Vanderpuije (Investigations on the state of POPs in Ghana, and human biomonitoring of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs), polychlorinated, polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and PXDD/Fs) in vulnerable Ghanaian populations), Based at University at Buffalo
Jodie Barber (An assessment of zoonotic disease risk posed by animal events worldwide)
Emmelianna Kumar (Development And Application of Methods For Quantifying Pharmaceuticals in Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra))
I am currently involved with the supervision of the following PhD candidates:
Director of Studies
Kevin Hayes (Identification of toxic substances linked to aerotoxic syndrome in aircraft cabins)
Guuske Tiktak (Conservation management of elasmobranch populations)
David Jones (Microplastics in air: an unseen problem?)
Ronald van der Kuil (understanding the cause of aerotoxic syndrome)
Co-supervisor
Lauren McNeill (Origami Chips: paper-based Lab-on-a-Chip devices for the rapid and cost-effective detection of New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs))
Thomas Hughes (The importance of mesocarnivores; Impacts of diet, pollutants and gut microbiomes)
Research outputs
My main research interests are in the field of environmental forensics. This involves the systematic and scientific evaluation of physical, chemical and historical information for the purpose of developing defensible scientific and legal conclusions regarding the source or age of a contaminant release into the environment.” Or in more basic English; establishing the “who”, “what”, “when” and “where” from a contamination event.
My specific research areas are:
- Extraction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from environmental samples, e.g. soil, sediment, animals and humans
- Analysis of POPs by atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation, multidimensional chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry
- Chemical fingerprinting and the use of multivariate statistics
- Source identification, and tracking the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment
- Contaminated land and human health risk assessments
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
O'Sullivan, G., Megson, D. (2015) Environmental Forensics Proceedings of the 2014 INEF Conference. Royal Society of Chemistry.
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Chapters in books
Megson, D., Niepsch, D., O'Sullivan, G. (2024) 'An overview of the enantioselective determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental samples.' Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry COAC Volume Number 111. Elsevier,
Megson, D. (2019) 'Polychlorinated Biphenyls.' Encyclopaedia of Analytical Science. Elsevier,
Reiner, E.J., Jobst, K.J., Megson, D., Dorman, F.L., Focant, J.F. (2013) 'Analytical Methodology of POPs.' Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants. pp. 59-139.
O'Sullivan, G., Megson, D. (2013) 'Brief Overview: Discovery, Regulation, Properties, and Fate of POPs.' Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants. pp. 1-20.
Jaspers, V., Megson, D., O'Sullivan, G. (2013) 'POPs in the Terrestrial Environment.' Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants. pp. 291-356.
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Reports
Megson, D., Charles, R., Davies, M., Ennis, C. (2018) Mitigating Issues of Future Wastes: Enhancing Resource Productivity in Emerging Technologies. Royal Society of Chemistry - Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division.
Wentworth, J., Megson, D. (2018) Persistent Chemical Pollutants. POST - Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.
Royal Society of Chemistry, Risk based regulation for per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Royal Society of Chemistry.
Quinn, M.S., Tyler, M.E., Ajaero, E., Arvai, J., Carlson, M., Dunmade, I., Hill, S., McCallum, J., McMartin, D., Megson, D., O’Sullivan, G., Parks, R., Poulton, D., Stelfox, B., Stewart, J., Serralde, C.S., Tomblin, S., Van der Byl, C. (2015) Landscape Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Development and Operations on Surface Water and Watersheds. Canadian Water Network.
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Internet publications
Various contributors, (2016) Special Issue on the 5th International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) conference. Journal of Environmental Protection. Volume 7, Number 3, February 2016. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jep/.
Megson, D. (2016) The INEF Bulletin - 2016 Volume 1. http://www.rsc-inef.net/the-inef-bulletin.html.
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Journal articles
Nguyen, D., Bellona, C., Lau, A., Stults, J., Andrews, H., Jones, D., Megson, D., Ross, I. (2025) 'Practical limits of current technologies in removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from fire suppression systems.' Journal of Hazardous Materials, 481pp. 136551-136551.
Megson, D., Niepsch, D., Spencer, J., Santos, C.D., Florance, H., MacLeod, C., Ross, I. (2024) 'Non-targeted analysis reveals hundreds of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in UK freshwater in the vicinity of a fluorochemical plant.' Chemosphere, 367
Neill, P., Megson, D. (2024) 'Landfill leachate treatment process is transforming and releasing banned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to UK water.' Frontiers in Water, 6
Siddik A., M., Varghese, G., Megson, D. (2024) 'Environmental Forensic: need for comprehensive guidelines for environmental forensic investigations.' Detritus, 27pp. I-III.
Megson, D., Idowu, I.G., Sandau, C.D. (2024) 'Is current generation of polychlorinated biphenyls exceeding peak production of the 1970s?.' Science of The Total Environment,
Tiktak, G.P., Gabb, A., Brandt, M., Diz, F.R., Bravo-Vásquez, K., Peñaherrera-Palma, C., Valdiviezo-Rivera, J., Carlisle, A., Melling, L.M., Cain, B., Megson, D., Preziosi, R., Shaw, K.J. (2024) 'Genetic identification of three CITES-listed sharks using a paper-based Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC).' PLoS One, 19(4)
Idowu, I.G., Megson, D., Tiktak, G., Dereviankin, M., Sandau, C.D. (2023) 'Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) half-lives in humans: A systematic review.' Chemosphere, 345
Balouet, J.C., Delahaye, J.C., Mulder, M.F.A., Dack, S., Megson, D. (2023) 'Using the grey literature to better understand the potential health impacts of cabin air quality.' Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment, 2(11) pp. 1-16.
Balouet, C., Burken, J., Martelain, J., Lageard, J., Karg, F., Megson, D. (2023) 'Dendrochemical forensics as material evidence in courts: how could trees lie?.' Environmental Forensics, 24(1-2) pp. 21-27.
Megson, D., Tiktak, G.P., Shideler, S., Dereviankin, M., Harbicht, L., Sandau, C.D. (2023) 'Source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using different receptor models: A case study on sediment from the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (PHSS), Oregon, USA.' Science of the Total Environment, 872pp. 162231-162231.
Amiri, R., Bissram, M.J., Hashemihedeshi, M., Dorman, F.L., Megson, D., Jobst, K.J. (2023) 'Differentiating Toxic and Nontoxic Tricresyl Phosphate Isomers Using Ion-Molecule Reactions with Oxygen.' Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 34(4) pp. 640-648.
Hamers, M., Elwin, A., Collard, R.C., Shepherd, C.R., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Megson, D., D'Cruze, N. (2023) 'An analysis of Canada's declared live wildlife imports and implications for zoonotic disease risk.' FACETS, 8pp. 1-18.
Hannah, T.J., Megson, D., Sandau, C.D. (2022) 'A review of the mechanisms of by-product PCB formation in pigments, dyes and paints.' Science of the Total Environment, 852pp. 158529-158529.
Toudonou, C., Elwin, A., Penner, J., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Megson, D., Rödel, M.O., Sinsin, B., Harrington, L.A., Auliya, M., D’Cruze, N. (2022) 'Seeking serpents: ball python trade in Benin, West Africa.' Nature Conservation, 50pp. 85-114.
Green, J., Hankinson, P., de Waal, L., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Megson, D., D’Cruze, N. (2022) 'Wildlife trade for belief-based use: insights from traditional healers in South Africa.' Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10pp. 906398-906398.
Hayes, K., O'Sullivan, G., Doyle, A., Megson, D. (2022) 'Reply to letter to the editor RE: Hayes K, Megson D., Doyle A, O'Sullivan G. Occupational risk of organophosphates and other chemical and radiative exposure in the aircraft cabin: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ. 2021 Nov 20;796:148742.' Science of the Total Environment, 831
Lee, D.Y., Choi, G.H., Bae, Y.S., Lee, S.W., Kim, S.K., Bae, J.Y., Song, A.R., Moon, B.Y., Megson, D., Oh, K.Y., Kim, J.H. (2021) 'Fate of endosulfan in ginseng farm and effect of granular biochar treatment on endosulfan accumulation in ginseng.' Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 44(11) pp. 3953-3965.
Megson, D., Brown, T., Jones, G.R., Robson, M., Johnson, G., Tiktak, G.P., Sandau, C., Reiner, E. (2021) 'Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations and profiles in marine mammals from the North Atlantic Ocean.' Chemosphere, 288(3) pp. 132639-132639.
McNeill, L., Megson, D., Linton, P.E., Norrey, J., Bradley, L., Sutcliffe, O.B., Shaw, K.J. (2021) 'Lab-on-a-Chip approaches for the detection of controlled drugs, including new psychoactive substances: A systematic review.' Forensic Chemistry, 26pp. 100370-100370.
Hayes, K., Megson, D., Doyle, A., O'Sullivan, G. (2021) 'Occupational risk of organophosphates and other chemical and radiative exposure in the aircraft cabin: a systematic review.' Science of The Total Environment, 796pp. 148742-148742.
D’Cruze, N., Galarza, F.E.R., Broche, O., El Bizri, H.R., Megson, S., Elwin, A., Machado, F.C., Norrey, J., Coulthard, E., Megson, D. (2021) 'Characterizing trade at the largest wildlife market of Amazonian Peru.' Global Ecology and Conservation, 28
Schofield, H.K., Megson, D.P., Da Costa, J., Richardson, L.A., Shelbourne, K., Payne, J. (2021) 'Fluorosurfactant retention in the foam blanket during gravitational drainage of an aqueous film-forming foam.' Colloids and Interface Science Communications, 42
Assou, D., Elwin, A., Norrey, J., Coulthard, E., Megson, D., Ronfot, D., Auliya, M., Segniagbeto, G.H., Martin, R.O., D'Cruze, N. (2021) 'Trade in African Grey Parrots for Belief-Based Use: Insights From West Africa's Largest Traditional Medicine Market.' Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9
Bruce-Vanderpuije, P., Megson, D., Ryu, S.H., Choi, G.H., Park, S.W., Kim, B.S., Kim, J.H., Lee, H.S. (2021) 'A comparison of the effectiveness of QuEChERS, FaPEx and a modified QuEChERS method on the determination of organochlorine pesticides in ginseng.' PLoS ONE, 16(1)
Lee, D.Y., Choi, G.H., Megson, D., Oh, K.Y., Choi, I.W., Seo, D.C., Kim, J.H. (2021) 'Effect of soil organic matter on the plant uptake of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) in lettuce on granular activated carbon-applied soil.' Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(5) pp. 2193-2202.
McNeill, L., Pearson, C., Megson, D., Norrey, J., Watson, D., Ashworth, D., Linton, P.E., Sutcliffe, O.B., Shaw, K.J. (2020) 'Origami Chips: development and validation of a paper-based Lab-on-a-Chip device for the rapid and cost-effective detection of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) and its metabolite, 4-methylephedrine in urine.' Forensic Chemistry, 22pp. 100293-100293.
Tiktak, G.P., Butcher, D., Lawrence, P.J., Norrey, J., Bradley, L., Shaw, K., Preziosi, R., Megson, D. (2020) 'Are concentrations of pollutants in sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii) a cause for concern? A systematic review.' Marine Pollution Bulletin, 160pp. 111701-111701.
Choi, G.H., Lee, D.Y., Bruce-Vanderpuije, P., Song, A.R., Lee, H.S., Park, S.W., Lee, J.H., Megson, D., Kim, J.H. (2020) 'Environmental and dietary exposure of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid in the Nakdong River, Korea.' Environmental Geochemistry and Health: official journal of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(1) pp. 347-360.
Green, J., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Megson, D., D’Cruze, N. (2020) 'Risky Business: Live Non-CITES Wildlife UK Imports and the Potential for Infectious Diseases.' Animals, 10(9) pp. 1632-1632.
Bruce-Vanderpuije, P., Megson, D., Jones, G.R., Jobst, K., Reiner, E., Clarke, E., Adu-Kumi, S., Gardella, J.A. (2020) 'Infant dietary exposure to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs), polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs) in milk samples of lactating mothers in Accra, Ghana.' Chemosphere, 263pp. 128156-128156.
D'Cruze, N., Bates, J., Assou, D., Ronfot, D., Coulthard, E., Segniagbeto, G.H., Auliya, M., Megson, D., Rowntree, J. (2020) 'A preliminary assessment of bacteria in “ranched” ball pythons (Python regius), Togo, West Africa.' Nature Conservation, 39
D'Cruze, N., Assou, D., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Megson, D., Macdonald, D.W., Harrington, L.A., Ronfot, D., Segniagbeto, G.H., Auliya, M. (2020) 'Snake oil and pangolin scales: insights into wild animal use at “Marché des Fétiches” traditional medicine market, Togo.' Nature Conservation, 39
D'Cruze, N., Paterson, S., Green, J., Megson, D., Warwick, C., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Auliya, M., Carder, G. (2020) 'Dropping the Ball? The Welfare of Ball Pythons Traded in the EU and North America..' Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 10(3)
Green, J., Coulthard, E., Megson, D., Norrey, J., Norrey, L., Rowntree, J., Bates, J., Dharmpaul, B., Auliya, M., D'Cruze, N. (2020) 'Blind trading: A literature review of research addressing the welfare of Ball pythons in the exotic pet trade.' Animals, 10(2)
Megson, D., Benoit, N., Sandau, C., Chaudhuri, S., Long, T., Coulthard, E., Johnson, G. (2019) 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of different indicator PCBs to estimating total PCB concentrations in environmental investigations.' Chemosphere, 237pp. 124429-124429.
D'Cruze, N., Khan, S., Carder, G., Megson, D., Coulthard, E., Norrey, J., Groves, G. (2019) 'A Global Review of Animal-Visitor Interactions in Modern Zoos and Aquariums and Their Implications for Wild Animal Welfare.' Animals, 9(6)
Bruce-Vanderpuije, P., Megson, D., Jobst, K., Jones, G.R., Reiner, E., Sandau, C.D., Clarke, E., Adu-Kumi, S., Gardella, J.A. (2019) 'Background levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs), polychlorinated, polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs & PXDD/Fs) in sera of pregnant women in Accra, Ghana.' Science of The Total Environment, 673pp. 631-642.
Megson, D., Hajimirzaee, S., Doyle, A., Cannon, F., Balouet, J.C. (2019) 'Investigating the potential for transisomerisation of trycresyl phosphate with a palladium catalyst and its implications for aircraft cabin air quality.' Chemosphere, 215pp. 532-534.
Bruce-Vanderpuije, P., Megson, D., Reiner, E., Bradley, L., Adu-Kumi, S., Gardella Jr., J. (2018) 'The state of POPs in Ghana- A review on persistent organic pollutants: Environmental and human exposure.' Environmental Pollution, 245pp. 331-342.
Megson, D., Brown, T.A., O'Sullivan, G., Robson, M., Ortiz, X., Worsfold, P.J., Comber, S., Lohan, M.C., Reiner, E.J. (2018) 'Changes to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) signatures and enantiomer fractions across different tissue types in Guillemots.' Marine Pollution Bulletin, 131pp. 174-179.
D'Cruze, N., Singh, B., MOOKERJEE, A., Macdonald, D., Hunter, K., Brassey, C., Jennifer, R., Megson, S., Megson, D.P., Fox, G., Louies, J., Sharath, R.S. (2018) 'What’s in a name? Wildlife traders evade authorities using code words.' Oryx, 52(1) pp. 13-15.
Lega, R., Megson, D., Hartley, C., Crozier, P., MacPherson, K., Kolic, T., Helm, P.A., Myers, A., Bhavsar, S.P., Reiner, E.J. (2017) 'Congener specific determination of polychlorinated naphthalenes in sediment and biota by gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry.' Journal of Chromatography A, 1479pp. 169-176.
Megson, D., Robson, M., Jobst, K.J., Helm, P.A., Reiner, E.J. (2016) 'Determination of Halogenated Flame Retardants Using Gas Chromatography with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) and a High-Resolution Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (HRqTOFMS)..' Analytical Chemistry, 88(23) pp. 11406-11411.
Megson, D.P., Reiner, E.J., Jobst, K.J., Dorman, F.L., Robson, M., Focant, J.F. (2016) 'A review of the determination of persistent organic pollutants for environmental forensics investigations.' Analytica Chimica Acta, 941pp. 10-25.
Guo, R., Megson, D., Myers, A.L., Helm, P.A., Marvin, C., Crozier, P., Mabury, S., Bhavsar, S.P., Tomy, G., Simcik, M., McCarry, B., Reiner, E.J. (2016) 'Application of a comprehensive extraction technique for the determination of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Great Lakes Region sediments..' Chemosphere, 164pp. 535-546.
Megson, D., Ortiz, X., Jobst, K.J., Reiner, E.J., Mulder, M.F.A., Balouet, J.C. (2016) 'A comparison of fresh and used aircraft oil for the identification of toxic substances linked to aerotoxic syndrome.' Chemosphere, 158pp. 116-123.
Megson, D.P. (2016) 'Environmental Forensics in the Workplace.' LCGC North America, 34(8) pp. 564-565.
Megson, D.P., Balouet, J.C., Gallion, F., O'Sullivan, G., Martelain, J. (2015) 'Forensic Investigations in Complex Pollution Cases Involving PCBs, Dioxins and Furans: Potential Pitfalls and Tips.' (350)
Megson, D., Focant, J.F., Patterson, D.G., Robson, M., Lohan, M.C., Worsfold, P.J., Comber, S., Kalin, R., Reiner, E., O'Sullivan, G. (2015) 'Can polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) signatures and enantiomer fractions be used for source identification and to age date occupational exposure?.' Environment International, 81pp. 56-63.
Megson, D., Brown, T.A., Johnson, G.W., O'Sullivan, G., Bicknell, A.W.J., Votier, S.C., Lohan, M.C., Comber, S., Kalin, R., Worsfold, P.J. (2014) 'Identifying the provenance of Leach's storm petrels in the North Atlantic using polychlorinated biphenyl signatures derived from comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry..' Chemosphere, 114pp. 195-202.
Megson, D.P., O'Sullivan, G., Worsfold, P.J., Lohan, M.C., Comber, S. (2014) 'Techniques to Age Date Human Exposure to PCBs.' (348)
Megson, D., Kalin, R., Worsfold, P.J., Gauchotte-Lindsay, C., Patterson, D.G., Lohan, M.C., Comber, S., Brown, T.A., O' Sullivan, G. (2013) 'Fingerprinting polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental samples using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry..' Journal of Chromatography A, 1318pp. 276-283.
Megson, D., O'Sullivan, G., Comber, S., Worsfold, P.J., Lohan, M.C., Edwards, M.R., Shields, W.J., Sandau, C.D., Patterson, D.G. (2013) 'Elucidating the structural properties that influence the persistence of PCBs in humans using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset..' Science of the Total Environment, 461pp. 99-107.
Megson, D.P., Dack, S. (2012) 'Assessing changes to the congener profile of PCDD and PCDF during bioaccumulation in chicken and duck eggs..'
Megson, D., Dack, S., Moore, M. (2011) 'Limitations of the CLEA model when assessing human health risks from dioxins and furans in soil at an allotments site in Rochdale, NW England.' Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13(7) pp. 1983-1990.
Wayland, D., Megson, D.P., Mudge, S.M., Icely, J.D., Newton, A. (2008) 'Identifying the source of nutrient contamination in a lagoon system.' Environmental Forensics, 9(2-3) pp. 231-239.
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Conference papers
Tiktak, G., Hughes, T., Brandt, M., Diz, F.R., Vasquez, K.E.B., Peñaherrera, C., Gabb, A., Cain, B., Megson, D., Preziosi, R., Shaw, K.J. (2021) 'GENETIC IDENTIFICATION OF THREATENED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS ILLEGALLY SOLD AT ARTISNAL FISH MARKETS IN ECUADOR.' pp. 129-130.
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Presentations
McNeill, L.F., Savvos, M., Sutcliffe, O.B., Megson, D.P., Linton, P.E., Shaw, K.J. (2019) Rapid and portable presumptive testing of new psychoactive substances. [Presentation] 1/1/2019.
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Other
Megson, D. (2023) PFAS: cleaning up drinking water.
Press and media
I regularly interact with the media and am available for comment on environmental pollution issues. I have appeared on BBC Northwest Tonight, Countryfile, BBC Radio 4 and BBC world service. I have contributed to many written articles for outlets including; the Guardian, National Geographic, the conversation and ENDS report. My work has also been picked up by many local, national and international news outlets.
| Year | Title | Source | Link |
| 2024 | Decontamination of landfill waste leads to increase in toxic chemicals, says study | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/04/decontamination-of-… |
| 2024 | Filmed piece for German national TV (Weltspiegel) on chemical pollution in the UK | ARD News | https://www.daserste.de/information/politik-weltgeschehen/weltspiegel/sendung/grossbritannien-muell-deponien-100.html |
| 2024 | BBC Radio 4’s ‘Buried’ finds toxic chemicals in soil, food and human blood | BBC News | https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/bbc-radio-4-buried-toxic-chemica… |
| 2024 | Buried (Season 2). The Last Witness | BBC Radio 4 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hf1w |
| 2024 | Inadvertent production of banned hazardous chemical may pose ‘growing health risk’ | ENDS Report | https://www.endsreport.com/article/1864472/inadvertent-production-banne… |
| 2024 | PCB in den USA: Verbotene Chemikalie wird laut Studie weiter in großem Stil produziert | Der Spiegel | https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/usa-verbotene-chemikalie-wird… |
| 2024 | ‘Everyone thinks it’s a thing of the past’: PCB pollution may be worse now than before they were banned | Chemistry World | https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pcb-pollution-may-be-worse-now-than… |
| 2024 | Cancer-causing PCB chemicals still being produced despite 40-year-old ban | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/08/cancer-causing-pcb-… |
| 2024 | The race to destroy the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluting our world | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/04/the-race-to-destroy… |
| 2024 | PFAS contamination in Mersey basin among highest in the world, study suggests | Chemistry World | https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pfas-contamination-in-mersey-basin-… |
| 2023 | Charlotte Smith investigates fears a 40-year-old chemical dump is threatening a village in Wales | Countryfile | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m6vs |
| 2023 | Firm releases almost 800kg of ‘forever chemical’ a year into Lancashire river | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/29/pfas-forever-chemic… |
| 2023 | Government urged to act over concerns of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water | ITV | https://www.itv.com/news/2023-10-17/government-urged-to-act-over-concer… |
| 2023 | ‘Forever chemicals’ found in drinking water sources across England | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/28/forever-chemicals-f… |
| 2023 | Experts call for tighter limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in water | BBC News | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67101179 |
| 2023 | Toxic substances from chemicals firm site found polluting protected river | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/24/toxic-substances-fr…- |
| 2023 | Regulations permit PFAS to be discharged into UK river | CE&N | https://cen.acs.org/environment/pollution/Regulations-permit-PFAS-disch… |
| 2023 | PFAS permitted to enter UK river | CE&N | https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cen-10115-buscon4 |
| 2023 | Toxic chemicals found in woodland used by children | BBC News | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyjpe24e0wmo |
| 2023 | ‘Concerning’ levels of forever chemicals found in UK fish | The Standard | https://www.standard.co.uk/news/science/thames-woolwich-manchester-metr… |
| 2023 | ‘Concerning’ levels of forever chemicals found in UK fish | Yahoo News | https://uk.news.yahoo.com/concerning-levels-forever-chemicals-found-070… |
| 2023 | The fish packed with cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’ | The Independent | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/fish-cancer-flounder-dab-plai… |
| 2023 | UK risks falling behind Europe in controlling ‘forever chemicals’ | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/25/pfas-uk-risks-falli… |
| 2022 | High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water source | ENDS Report | https://www.endsreport.com/article/1739752/high-levels-toxic-forever-ch… |
| 2020 | Dark Waters’ pollution threat isn’t Hollywood hysteria – it could be a ticking timebomb worldwide | The Conversation | https://theconversation.com/dark-waters-pollution-threat-isnt-hollywood… |
| 2020 | Mark Ruffalo vs Chemical pollution | BBC Radio 4 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fvvm |
| 2017 | Dried lizard penis being sold online as rare ‘magical’ plant root | Mongbay | https://news.mongabay.com/2017/06/dried-lizard-penis-being-sold-online-… |
| 2017 | A reptile dysfunction - Manchester scientists crack lizard penis scam | Manchester Confidentials | https://confidentials.com/manchester/manchester-scientists-crack-lizard… |
| 2017 | Dried lizard penis being sold online as India tantric root | BBC News | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-40323340 |
| 2017 | How Lizard Genitalia Became a Black Market Craze | National Geographic | https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/wildlife-watch-india… |