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    Quality of the Environment, Food, and Health Forum

    Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have become widespread across industrial and consumer applications due to their remarkable resistance to heat, water, and grease. Despite their utility, their persistence in the environment, food chain, and human body presents significant risks to public health and ecosystems. The strong carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS prevent them from degrading, creating long-term challenges in multiple sectors, including environmental management, food safety, public health, waste management and the oil and gas industry. The Quality of the Environment, Food, and Health Forum brings together experts from diverse fields to address these critical issues. The forum will focus on PFAS's environmental impact, the risks to food safety and public health, as well as the challenges faced by the oil and gas sector and waste management industries. The forum will provide a platform to share insights, foster collaboration, and promote innovative solutions for PFAS analysis, regulatory frameworks, and mitigation strategies tailored to these sectors. A dedicated workshop will also offer professionals in Qatar the skills, knowledge, and tools to address PFAS contamination effectively. By uniting specialists from environmental science, analytical chemistry, public health, waste management, and the oil and gas sector, this event aims to provide actionable solutions that protect public health, safeguard environmental quality, promote sustainable waste management, and mitigate PFAS-related risks in the oil and gas industry.
    1. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The forum promotes collaboration between experts from various sectors, including environmental science, analytical chemistry, public health, waste management, oil and gas, and regulatory affairs. This cross-disciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive strategy to address PFAS contamination across industries.
    2. Knowledge Exchange: Participants will have the opportunity to share research, expertise, and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of PFAS contamination and promoting the adoption of best practices across environmental management, food systems, industrial operations, and public health frameworks.
    3. Emerging Challenges: The forum will explore the latest challenges and trends in PFAS detection, regulation, and management. Panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions will ensure attendees stay informed about new developments in PFAS research and mitigation strategies.
    4. Innovative Solutions: Cutting-edge technologies and methodologies for detecting, quantifying, and remediating PFAS contamination will be showcased. These innovations will help stakeholders implement practical and sustainable solutions in their respective sectors.
    5. Sector-Specific Empowerment: Targeted workshops will equip professionals from critical sectors such as waste management and oil and gas with the knowledge and tools necessary to address PFAS contamination proactively. Participants will gain the skills to meet regulatory standards, improve environmental and food safety, and mitigate health risks.
    6. Networking and Professional Growth: The forum provides a unique opportunity for professionals and stakeholders to expand their networks, collaborate on initiatives, and exchange knowledge. This will lay the foundation for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

    Participants in this workshop will benefit from:

    1. Enhancing Knowledge and Expertise: Gain a comprehensive understanding of PFAS, including their chemical properties and impacts on the environment, food safety, and public health. The workshop will address the challenges of managing PFAS contamination across sectors, with a focus on practical solutions.
    2. Developing Analytical Skills: Learn advanced techniques, including LC-MS/MS and other specialized procedures for precise PFAS analysis. These skills will enhance environmental monitoring and improve food safety standards, equipping participants to handle contamination effectively.
    3. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Stay up-to-date with current and future regulatory frameworks for PFAS, ensuring that laboratories and institutions in Qatar are prepared to meet evolving standards. This will help maintain compliance across the food, environmental, and industrial sectors.
    4. Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Network with environmental scientists, analytical chemists, and regulatory professionals. These connections will facilitate collaboration and foster knowledge sharing, advancing efforts to manage PFAS contamination across sectors.
    5. Practical Applications and Actionable Insights: Engage in case studies and discussions of best practices relevant to participants' industries. Gain actionable insights that can be applied to develop solutions for PFAS contamination in food systems, waste management, oil and gas operations, and public health initiatives.
    6. This workshop provides a holistic learning experience, combining advanced scientific knowledge with practical applications to drive improvements in environmental, food safety, and health sectors.

    This workshop is tailored for professionals, researchers, and stakeholders involved in key sectors such as environmental monitoring, food safety, public health, regulatory compliance, waste management, and oil and gas. Specifically, it is ideal for:

    • Environmental Scientists: Professionals engaged in environmental monitoring, pollution control, and remediation efforts, looking for advanced insights into PFAS contamination and analytical techniques.
    • Food Safety Experts: Individuals ensuring food safety and quality, including regulatory compliance officers, food scientists, and quality assurance managers, seeking to understand the impact of PFAS and strategies for mitigation.
    • Analytical Chemists: Researchers and analysts specializing in LC-MS/MS analysis, eager to advance their knowledge and expertise in PFAS analysis techniques.
    • Regulatory Professionals: Those involved in regulatory affairs and policy-making from both governmental and private sectors, aiming to understand the latest regulations and compliance measures for PFAS.
    • Academia: Researchers, educators, and students from disciplines like environmental science, chemistry, and public health, contributing to academic advancements in PFAS research.
    • Industry Representatives: Professionals from industries that handle PFAS-containing materials, such as manufacturing, textiles, firefighting, and chemical production, seeking insights into regulatory compliance and best practices.
    • Health Professionals: Public health officials, healthcare practitioners, and epidemiologists focusing on the health effects of PFAS exposure and exploring mitigation strategies.
    • Consultants and Advisors: Environmental consultants, risk assessors, and sustainability advisors involved in PFAS management, looking to expand their expertise.

    Attending this workshop offers several valuable benefits:

    1. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest research, regulations, and management strategies for PFAS.
    2. Enhance Expertise: Broaden your knowledge and skills in advanced analytical techniques for detecting and monitoring PFAS.
    3. Networking Opportunities: Build connections with professionals from various sectors, facilitating potential collaborations and partnerships.
    4. Professional Development: Learn practical skills for tackling PFAS contamination in your sector.
    5. Regulatory Compliance: Gain a deeper understanding of current and future PFAS regulations to ensure your organization remains compliant.
    6. Industry Insights: Discover real-world applications and case studies relevant to various sectors impacted by PFAS contamination.
    7. Access to Experts: Interact with leaders in the field, gaining insights from top researchers and professionals.
    8. Impactful Solutions: Explore innovative strategies for managing PFAS contamination and promoting sustainability in your sector.
    9. Continuing Education: Earn valuable continuing education credits and certifications to further your professional development.
    10. Contribute to Global Efforts: Be part of the global movement toward effectively managing and mitigating PFAS contamination in various industries.

    The workshop is proud to have the support and partnership of the following esteemed organizations:

    1. Qatar Scientific Company (QSC): QSC brings invaluable expertise and resources to the workshop, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge and technology in environmental monitoring, food safety, and public health.
    2. Waters Corporation: Waters Corporation's leadership in chromatography and mass spectrometry technologies significantly enriches the workshop's program, offering participants opportunities to learn from industry-leading experts and explore state-of-the-art analytical techniques for PFAS analysis and regulatory compliance.

    These partnerships demonstrate a collective dedication to promoting scientific collaboration, advancing analytical capabilities, and addressing critical challenges related to PFAS contamination and environmental health.

    TimeSubject
    08:30-09:00Registration and welcome networking
    09:00 - 09:20Opening session
    1. Dr. Noora Al-Qahtani,

      Research Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Research and Graduate Studies Sector, Qatar University.

    2. Mr. Mohammed Afifi,

      General Manager at Qatar Scientific Company (QSC)

    3. A person from Waters Corporation
    09:20-10:20 First session:

    Understanding PFAS in the Environment and Food Safety

    • Exploring the environmental and food safety risks of PFAS
    • Understanding the impact of PFAS in water, soil, and food products
    • Interdisciplinary approaches to mitigate PFAS contamination in food, water, and the environment
    • Case studies on PFAS monitoring and contamination control in oil, gas, and waste management industries
    10:20-10:40Coffee Break
    10:40-11:40Second session:

    Regulatory Landscape and Compliance in Environmental, Food, and Health Sectors

    • Current and upcoming regulatory challenges in PFAS analysis for environmental monitoring, food safety, and health sectors
    • Adapting to Qatar’s evolving regulations on PFAS in waste management and food products
    • How to ensure compliance across sectors: food safety, public health, and waste management
    • Best practices for oil and gas industries to meet PFAS standards
    11:40-12:20Coffee Break and Prayer Break
    12:20-13:20Third Session:

    Advanced Analytical Techniques for PFAS Detection and Waste Management

    • Demonstrating LC-MS/MS solutions for detecting PFAS in complex environmental samples
    • Best practices for detecting PFAS in food, water, and soil samples
    • Addressing PFAS contamination in industrial waste, with focus on the oil and gas sectors
    • Strategies for detecting ultra-low-level PFAS in high-volume waste samples from the oil and gas industry
    13:20-15:00Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks

    Panel with experts for Focus on cross-sector collaboration for PFAS mitigation in the environment, food safety, public health, and waste management. Also Addressing the role of oil and gas industries in implementing PFAS mitigation strategies

    • From Qatar University

      Dr. Mohamed Hassan, Research Associate Professor, Center for Advanced Materials (CAM).

    • From QSC/Water teams
    • From the Ministry of Municipality
    • From the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
    • Form National Health Laboratory Qatar
    15:00-16:00Lunch