Pete Watts

Pete Watts

Toxicology Director

UKRT/ERT

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.

Much of Pete’s workday is focused on hazard and risk assessment relating to extractables and leachables (e.g. for pharmaceutical, medical device and e-cigarette applications) and other pharmaceutical issues (e.g. DNA-reactive impurities, Qualification Thresholds). He is also routinely involved in REACH and the medical device, cosmetic, food, drink, agrochemical, biocide, consumer product and food-contact sectors, on a daily basis. Pete regularly gives presentations on health risk assessment at scientific meetings in Europe and the US.

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. 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

In silico prediction of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity

Case study

As part of their overall regulatory requirements, the client was asked to provide an assessment of the known or predicted genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of a number of ingredients in their products. Bibra were provided with a list of several substances and asked to carry out this work following the genetic toxicology in silico (GIST) protocol.

Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) on a skin cream

Case study

Under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, cosmetics within the European Union should not be placed on the market if they are harmful to health under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Bibra was asked to produce a CPSR on a skin cream with multiple ingredients.

Toxicological risk assessment of leachables from a syringe medical device

Case study

The company had commissioned leachables studies on a syringe medical device intended for flushing of intravenous catheters/tubing with saline. The leachables profile was examined at two time points (day 0 and about 2 months) and numerous substances were detected at low concentrations.

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

Contact us