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Merv Fingas
Retired
Environment Canada
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“Understanding standards gives one the advantage of having a deeper insight into the technical issues surrounding the topic. One is also aware of the practical background of the standard and this can provide insight into the applicability and technology of the standard.”
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Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
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I recently retired from Environment Canada in Ottawa, where I was Chief of the Environmental Emergencies Technology Division. I moved to Alberta to compete for a new position in oil and chemical spill research similar to what I did at Environment Canada. |
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Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
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I have two undergraduate degrees, one in chemistry, my main field. I have master’s degrees in chemistry and managerial sciences, both from the University of Ottawa, and a Ph.D. in environmental sciences from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. |
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When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
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I began working with ASTM in 1986, at first with Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response to assist in the development of standards related to my field of oil and chemical spills. The prime motivator was a request from some members to assist with the development of treating agent standards. |
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In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
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I am most active in Committee F20, where I am the current chair of three subcommittees and have been a member-at-large and vice chairman on the main committee. I am also a member of Committees D19 on Water, F23 on Protective Clothing and E54 on Homeland Security Applications. |
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How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
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The ASTM standards developed by Committee F20 apply directly to my work. My work involves the testing of equipment and agents to deal with oil spills. As ASTM standards are developed, we comply with these standards. Often we are involved in the development and testing of new standards.
There are a number of ASTM standards involved with the selection of methods and techniques. Again, we are involved with the development and application of these methods. My colleagues and I have applied all methods that are applicable to Environment Canada.
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Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
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Participating in standards development increases one’s knowledge on the topic at hand. Participation also gives one access to others working in similar fields and thus broadens one’s contacts. |
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What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
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The favorite aspects of my job are carrying out new research projects. Probing into unknown problems is exciting and fulfilling. Further sharing the results of these studies with colleagues, including ASTM committee members, is a very satisfying aspect. Interacting with others performing this research around the world is exciting as well. Also, carrying out joint research with these individuals is a challenging and exciting aspect of my work. |
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Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
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Understanding standards gives one the advantage of having a deeper insight into the technical issues surrounding the topic. One is also aware of the practical background of the standard and this can provide insight into the applicability and technology of the standard. |
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Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
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PThe most important thing for starting out in oil and chemical spill research is to acquire as much knowledge as possible of the background topics that one is working on. The field is very diverse and one may have to choose a subtopic to work in. Another important piece of advice is to develop contacts in that subtopic. Both knowledge and contacts can be fostered by attending and participating in the many conferences and seminars offered
The second word of wisdom is to dig very deep into the knowledge. Oil and chemical spills, being multidisciplinary and very diverse, have many “myths” surrounding some of the topics. Many of these myths are not correct and may be misleading. There are often good pieces of knowledge in the pure sciences which have applicability to the oil spill field.
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