Richard Denison

Work

Richard Denison, Ph.D., has 29 years of experience in the environmental arena, specializing in policy, hazard and risk assessment and management for industrial chemicals and nanomaterials.

Richard is a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Standing Committee on Emerging Science for Environmental Health Decisions. Until recently, he was on the NAS Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology. He serves on the Green Ribbon Science Panel for California’s Green Chemistry Initiative.

Richard has testified before various Congressional committees on the need for fundamental reform of US policy toward industrial chemicals [PDF] and on nanomaterial safety research needs. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee to Develop a Research Strategy for Environmental, Health and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials. He was a member of EDF’s team that worked jointly with the DuPont Corporation to develop a framework governing responsible development, production, use and disposal of nanoscale materials.

Richard is a frequent contributor to EDF's Chemicals and Nanomaterials blog, where he posts both commentary and detailed analyses of the emerging science and policies affecting chemicals and nanomaterials in the U.S. and internationally.

Background

Ph.D., Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University.

Denison joined EDF in 1987, after several years as an analyst and assistant project director in the Oceans and Environment Program, Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress.

Publications

• Author, Ten Essential Elements in TSCA Reform [PDF], Environmental Law Reporter (2009).
• Author, Not That Innocent: A Comparative Analysis of Canadian, European Union and United States Policies on Industrial Chemicals (2007).
• Author, Across the Pond: Assessing REACH's First Big Impact on U.S. Companies and Chemicals (2008).
• Author, High Hopes, Low Marks: A final report card on the HPV Challenge (2007).
• Co-author, "Getting Nanotechnology Right the First Time [PDF]," Issues in Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC (2005).