The Administrator details are as follows:

1. Peter J Baugh
2. Address: 10, Landswood Park, Hartford, Northwich Cheshire, CW8 1NF, UK
3. e-mail: peterbaugh682@hotmail.com
4. Mob: 07854743276 
5. website: www.analyticalmethodologycentre.com 
6. CV PJBAUGHCVJanuary2018.pdf
7. Recent references

1. P. J. Baugh, S. M. Hutchinson. M. Lui et al., Current Trends Anal Bioanal Chem, 2018, 2, 64-73
2. P. J. Baugh, Current Trends Anal Bioanal Chem, 2019, 3, 125-144
3. P. J. Baugh, J. Anal Bioanal Chem, 2022, 13, 483
4. P. J. Baugh, in Contemporary Perspective on Science Technology and Research, D J Jakobczak, Ed., 2024, Vol 5, Ch 7, pp 102-125,

Peter J Baugh FRSC reflects on a life of Chemical Science, 1950-2026

Ever since my parents purchased a chemistry set for me at Christmas 1950, I have had an interest in science and in particular in Chemistry. The back kitchen of a terraced house in Colwyn Bay was my lab with a bunsen burner attached to a gas tap on the cooker. I carried some investigations into gas evolution from iron sulphate heated with an organic acid, such as tartaric acid, because the local pharmacist would not supply me with mineral acids. I also carried out some elementary glass blowing by focusing the bunsen flame on the side of a small test tube and blowing a hole in the side of the tube.  I proceeded to burn coal in the base of the tube to generate a gas which produced a flame at the hole when ignited. There were no safety or risk assessments and I cannot recall whether safety glasses were supplied with the chemistry set.

In 1955 I took chemistry at O level and it was not my best subject but in 1957, I proceeded to study maths, physics and chemistry at A Level, unfortunately failing maths.  The chemistry result was satisfactory, 60% equivalent to a grade B, but I just about scraped through physics.  I was accepted to study chemistry at the University of South Wales and Monthmouthshire in Cardiff in August of 1957. In early October I travelled to Cardiff to take up lodgings in Church Road, Llanishen and visited the university college to register for the final 1 course in chemistry.  Unfortunately, the staff member registering students was a maths lecturer; he would not allow me to take the final 1 course and entered me on the intermediate course in maths, physics and chemistry. I objected to taking the intermediate course in chemistry as I considered that the marks I had achieved were of a higher standard. As a result I was allowed to take a subsidiary course in Medicinal Chemistry, which the medics were taking as part of the 1st MB.

I passed intermediate exams in maths and physics and subsidiary exams in medicinal chemistry in June 1958 and entered the final 1 programme in October 1958 in chemistry, maths and subsidiary physics. I passed all the exams at Christmas, Easter and in June, 1959. I took the final 2 programme in chemistry and maths, commencing in October 1959 and was successful in the examinations in chemistry and maths during the year and in June 1960.  The final 2 results in cemistry were good enough for me to enter the honours programme in October 1960 without requiring an interview. The honours course was completed in June 1961 and I qualified with a upper second class honours degree.

I had initially decided not to take a higher degree but after several interviews and job offers, which I considered were not satisfactory, I went for an interview with the Head of Department to ask about pursuing a higher degree.  I was directed to a supervisor, Dr Glyn O Phillips, to carry out research into the radiation chemistry of carbohydrates, commencing in late September 1961.

 A Lifetime of Chemical Science

Abstract submitted for presentation at ENVCHEM2026, University of Warwick, July 2-3, 2026

Presenting author: Peter J Baugh, FRSC, Co Leader EFASIG, 10 Landswood Park, Hartford, Northwich CW8 1NF Cheshire

Baugh, Peter J

Themes: Climate and Environmental Processes in Soil, Water and Air, Emerging Contaminants and Novel Techniques, The Food–Environment–Climate Nexus, Atmospheric Chemistry, Ecotoxicology and Planetary Health, Data-Driven Environmental Chemistry*

Introduction

Peter Baugh reviews his life in chemical science since receiving a chemistry set from his parents for Christmas, circa 1950, followed by being educated at Colwyn Bay GS to A level, to honours degree and PhD level at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire (University of Wales constituent college), from 1957 to 1964. Following graduating with a PhD, his early career research began by being awarded a postdoctoral research associate position through the National Research Foundation Scheme, Washington DC.

The Review

The review follows his PhD research in investigating the solid state radiation chemistry of carbohydrate systems¹, the research work undertaken at the Southern Regional Research Laboratory, USDA, in New Orleans, involving radiation-induced reactions in cellulose², and his subsequent career as an academic in the Department of Chemistry and Applied, University of Salford, where he conducted teaching in inorganic and analytical chemistry and research in a range of subject areas, commencing with photochemical reactions in dyed cellulose materials, free radical trapping in carbohydrate glasses at 77K using ESR spectroscopy³ lyoluminescence exhibited by irradiated carbohydrates on dissolution, applications of GC/MS to product identification in irradiated carbohydrates⁴, pesticide and organic pollutant monitoring in river systems^5,6 (with GC/TSQ also) and mosquito vectors in bed nets (UK, Africa and China) involving also ELISA GC/MS correlation studies⁷ in fish. During this period, unique analytical pyrolysis studies were also undertaken on extracts from the Macauba fruit (Minas Gerais, Brasil)⁸.

Since retiring and not being research active he has devoted time to writing reviews in several areas, one of which resulted from his postgraduate GC/MS practical teaching in the 1990s⁹, and during which time he was the MSc in Analytical Chemistry Course Tutor for 10 years.

References

1. G. O. Phillips, P. Baugh, Nature, 1963, 198, 282
2. P. J. Baugh, O. Hinojosa, J. C. Arthur, Jr., T. Mares, J. Appl. Polymer Sci., 1968, 12, 249
3. J. Bardsley, P. J. Baugh, J. I. Goodall. G. O. Phillips, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 1974, 890
4. P J Baugh, I. Goodall, G. O. Phillips, C. von Sonntag, M. Dizdaroglu, Carbohydr. Res., 1976, 49, 315
5. P. M. Hancock, M. Yasin, P. J. Baugh, G. A. Bonwick, D. H. Davies, Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem., 1997, 67, 81
6. M. Liu, P. J. Baugh, S. M. Hutchinson, L Yu and S. Xu, Environmental Pollution, 2000, 110, 357
7. G, A. Bonwick, M.Yasin, P. Hancock, P. J. Baugh, J. H. H. Williams, C. J. Smith, R. A. Armitage, D. H. Davies, Food and Agricultural Immunology, 8, 1996, 185
8. I. C. P. Fortes and P. J. Baugh, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, 1994, 29, 153
9. P. J. Baugh, J. Anal. Bioanal. Tech., 2022, 13, 483

To access EFASIG meetings, programmes, abstracts, and themes, New users will need to create an account and login with their user name and account password using the login form. Registered users will be able to login with their user name and password. Users will be required to login to access the special features of the website, including, EFASIG meetings, programmes, abstracts and themes.

The Menu items allow access to the areas of interest, which feature, for example, the Aims, EFASIG meetings including programmes, abstracts and reports, themes for the Special Interest Group, search facilities and user login. 

All areas are now accessible, publicly and there is no need to login unless you wish to view your profile as a website member or you wish to sign up.

During COVID19,  a virtual meeting VEFASIG2020  was arranged as a series, which commenced on July 31, 2020 and was completed on March 11, 2021.

Click on VEFASIG2020 to access the  page

A joint AIS/EFASIG meeting was arranged on April 29, 2022  and an EFASIG short session was held at BMSS43 in September 2023. A future meeting arranged for January 15, 2025 to be held at the University of Plymouth has been postponed.

The aims of the website are mainly to focus on the function and activities of The Environmental and Food Special Interest Group (EFASIG) of the BMSS with arrangement of meetings at intervals.

Since the formation of the SIG, meetings have been held in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 with WWEM in 2014 and 2016.

EFASIG2017 was held on July 19, 2017 at The Auditorium, Analytical Research & Development,  in Southampton, hosted by Dr Chris Wright.

A further meeting involving EFASIG was held on November 21 & 22, 2018, at The International Centre, Telford, and formed part of the WWEM2018 Conference and Exhibitions, in an Analytical Developments Conference in concert with The RSC Water Science Forum and the Separation Science Group . 

The EFASIG2019 meeting was held at Manchester Metropolitan University on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. An e-abstract booklet is available to delegates and can be accessed on request to the organisers.

A series of nine virtual EFASIG meetings were held from July 31, 2020 to March 11, 2021 and a review of the meetings can be viewed by accessing the following file:

VirtualEFASIG2020Review08042021.docx 

A slide video of the meetings is also available, unlisted, on YouTube, and is available on request by emailing peterbaugh682@hotmail.com 

The EFASIG2020 meeting was to be held at the University of Leicester, College Court, on July 23, 2020 but was postponed. EFASIG held a meeting in combination with the Ambient Ionisation SIG, on April 27, 2022 at the University of Surrey, Guildford.

A report has been submitted to The BMSS for inclusion in a future issue of Mass Matters.  The link to access the report is as follows:

AIEFASIGcombinedmeetingreport27042022.docx

FYI and interest also, EFASIG was involved in the organisation of ENVCHEM2023 held at the University of Glasgow, June 01 and 02. 2023, lead organiser, Dr Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay. 

#EnvChem2023: Chemistry of the Whole Environment (rsc.org)

EFASIG did not feature in a separate session in the scientific programme at BMSS42. However, happily, there was a short session at BMSS43 at RNCM, Manchester, September 14 - 16, 2023, chaired by Dr David Megson (MMU) and which was very well received. Also flash oral presentations featured EFASIG with adjoining poster sessions. The EFASIG Meeting Organising Group sincerely hope that some of you have attended and to supported the annual meeting.

The next meeting of EFASIG scheduled for January 15, 2025, for which the local organiser is Dr Mike Wilde of the Department of Chemistry, University of Plymouth has been postponed to a later date because of delay in approval and close proximity in February of the AISIG.

Take care in Your Organisation, Institution or Group.

The EFASIG Meeting Organising Group (EMOG)

Dr David Megson (MMU), Dr Michael Wilde (Plymouth), Dr Kathy Ridgway (Element), Dr Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay (Glasgow) and Dr Peter J Baugh (EFASIG).

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