Pete Watts

Pete Watts

Toxicology Director

Professional Memberships

British Toxicology Society

Pete Watts,
Toxicology Director

Qualifications & Experience 

Pete, one of our two Toxicology Directors, is a RSB/BTS and European Registered Toxicologist (ERT), with an impressive 42 years of experience as a desk-based, bibra toxicologist and hazard/risk assessor. As a Toxicology Director, his primary goal is to ensure that clients receive a service in chemical hazard and risk assessment that is robust, transparent, independent, scientifically defensible, and delivered in a cost-effective and timely manner. His special interest is in the pragmatic application of risk assessment methodology to toxicity data sets, in order to derive robust conclusions on toxicological acceptability of exposures and on health risks to exposed populations. 

Pete has worked as a Temporary Adviser to the WHO (in the CICADs programme) and has reviewed numerous documents for OECD SIAM/CoCAM meetings, as well as drafting a number of reviews under the Environment Agency’s CLEA and EAL projects. He co-authored an IRSST update report on TCE carcinogenicity and has published book chapters on carcinogen classification schemes and operator exposure to plant protection products. 

Pete still relishes the opportunity to greet the working day. For him, the most rewarding aspect of working at bibra (aside for working with such great colleagues) is the opportunity to contribute to solving a client’s issue. He can then go home a happy bunny. 

Areas of Expertise 

Much of Pete’s workday is focused on hazard and risk assessment relating to extractables and leachables for the pharmaceutical, medical device and e-cigarette industries. 

He is also routinely involved in REACH and the following sectors: 

Pete regularly gives presentations on health risk assessment at scientific meetings in Europe and the US. 

Hobbies & Interests 

When not juggling toxicity data sets, exposure scenarios and (bio)chemical reactions, Pete can often be found in a gym, on a squash court (he gets slower every year) or getting lost in the Surrey countryside. 

He likes salads, sunshine and Chelsea FC. At the top of his dislikes list are winter mornings and warm cider.

Pete's case studies and blog posts

Bisphenol A (BPA) Controversy

Blog articles

It is a truth not always recognised that toxicological hazard and risk assessment as currently practiced is a ball-park science, and a health criteria value – a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI), a Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) or similar – quoted to 2 significant figures is probably one significant figure more than the data really can confidently support. Occasionally practitioners will let the mask slip...

Knowledge is key. Part 2: The bibra TRACE database (and supporting databank)

Blog articles

In Part 1, Peter Watts gave a potted history of his personal early experience in literature searching and toxicity data identification. Along with our colleagues of the same 'fine vintage', he weathered the storms of change, progressing from a time of back-strain (from carrying huge texts around) and index finger wear (turning pages) to dial-up and then to web-based searching. With your indulgence, Pete would now like to expand a little regarding TRACE and its value to clients and the bibra toxicologists.

Knowledge is key. Part 1: Toxicity literature searching, a personal history

Blog articles

Our Toxicology Director, Peter Watts, has written a very interesting article focussing on toxicity literature searching, from his own perspective (having been at bibra for 40+ years)

Want to read more case studies and blog posts that Pete has been involved in? Click below to read more.

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