What are biocides, how do they enter the environment and our bodies and what can we do about them?
Main interview guest: Natalie Bennett - Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
Expert co-host: Michael Mattle - Head of Wastewater Technology at Holinger
We're exploring how biocides – human-made chemicals that we find in products like surface cleaners and toothpastes – are impacting the microbiomes in our bodies and our environmental systems. In 2025 Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Natalie Bennett, brought a private members bill to Westminster to regulate the use of these chemicals in consumer products intended for human consumption. We hear what Biocides are, where we'll find them and why Natalie is pushing for a legislative change to regulate their use.
Co-host Michael Mattle, Head of Wastewater Technology at Hollinger reflects on what happens to these chemicals after use when they're released into the environment and explains how Switzerland has radically changed their approach to wastewater treatment, pushing beyond EU standards, to remove these types of chemicals.
Sponsors
Planet Possible is grateful to Mackley, Business Modelling Applications & MWH Treatment for their support.
Show Notes
You can read more about Natalie's thinking in her latest book - Change Everything.
Hear more on the specifics of Lake Geneva from Michael Mattle in this Guardian podcast.
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