University of Newcastle researchers will participate in a federal network to examine health threats from changing environmental conditions and extreme weather.
Dr Thava Palanisami will focus on food, soil and water security, with Associate Professor Anthony Kiem to cover bushfires, air pollution and extreme events.
The program is part of the government's Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) network.
"My team will be focusing on assessing the risks of emerging pollutants such as microplastics, PFAS and bushfire-related chemical influx," Dr Palanisami said.
"The goal is to understand the risks of these emerging pollutants and develop solutions to protect vulnerable communities."
Other issues to be examined include biosecurity, COVID-19 and emerging infections in the context of environmental change. Data and decision-support systems for environmental health applications will also be considered.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Tuesday a $10 million grant to the network, through the National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC].
Mr Hunt said the network involves Aboriginal leadership and "wide geographic reach for a uniquely Australian response".
"Australians know from experience how we depend on working together to respond to global health challenges," Mr Hunt said.
"The complex interplay of environmental change, extreme weather events, economics and public health requires a multidisciplinary, collaborative response that can inform future policy and practice."
NHMRC chief executive, Professor Anne Kelso, said the network would "help protect the health of the Australian community and build a resilient and responsive health system".
The network will seek to integrate Aboriginal and Western knowledge.
The network's inaugural conference starts on Wednesday.
