Opeolu is the leader of the Climate Change and Environment Research Focus Area at CPUT, and environmental toxicology and chemistry form the basis of her research expertise. Recently she delivered her Inaugural Professorial Lecture titled, Tainted ‘Potpourri’ in a Climate-changing World: An African Perspective, on the Bellville Campus.
“My research objective is to understand occurrence of pollutants in environmental matrices, and their impacts on human health and the health of ecosystems,” said the C3 National Research Foundation - rated established researcher.
“Method development, monitoring, remediation and risk assessment studies of these pollutants are the core of my research focus – particularly endocrine disrupting chemicals, which are compounds of emerging concern.”
She added that Potpourri is produced from dried plant materials to generate natural scent in homes. “However, essential oils (natural) may be added to the bowl for a more lasting fragrance,” she argued. “The quest for a cheaper alternative may also allow the use of synthesised chemical analogues of the fragrances.”
In this analogy, potpourri represents the world’s environment, with all of its vast natural resources.
She observed that in our ongoing quest to improve human well-being, inventions have resulted in longer life expectancies, wealth creation, industrialisation and urbanisation, but that anthropogenic activities necessary for human existence, dignity and quality of life come with detrimental consequences to people and the environment.
“Sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources is imperative, and is the responsibility of everyone that lives on earth,” directed Opeolu.
