Daniel Lauer, MPH

Systematic Review and Risk-of-Bias Analysis, United States — Performed systematic reviews of epidemiological and related scientific literature, including risk of bias analyses, for various occupational and environmental exposures including talc, formaldehyde, benzene, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Served as second author on two published systematic reviews of the epidemiological, mechanistic, and toxicological evidence regarding the association between inhalation exposure to talc and risk of respiratory tract cancers, and perineal exposure to talc and risk of female reproductive cancers. Developed and implemented a rigorous study quality assessment using a hybrid method incorporating aspects of the frameworks developed for the EPA Integrated Risk Information System program, TSCA existing chemical programs, and by the Institute of Medicine and the National Toxicology Program Office of Health Assessment and Translation.

Epidemiologic Evidence Triangulation, United States — Developed and published a novel framework for epidemiological evidence triangulation incorporating study quality and risk-of-bias approaches with a focus on identifying and quantifying potential sources of bias. Applied triangulation methods to an example evaluating occupational formaldehyde exposure and risk of myeloid leukemias and myeloid leukemia subtypes.

Epidemiological Assessment of the Association between Mixed Solvents and Reproductive and Developmental Health Outcomes, Manufacturing Facility, United States — Supported evaluation of alleged occupational and environmental exposures to contaminants of potential concern originating from a manufacturing facility, including perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, styrene, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium. Assessed epidemiological and toxicological evidence of reported associations between the chemicals of concern and numerous claimed health endpoints including multiple sclerosis, congenital malformations, transgenerational germline damage, and various cancer types.

Epidemiological Assessment of the Association between Cosmetic Talc and Mesothelioma, United States — Served as project manager and technical expert within the context of litigation cases in which it was alleged that exposure to trace levels of asbestos in cosmetic talcum powder products was associated with or contributed to causing pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and ovarian cancers. Assisted testifying experts with conducting retrospective exposure assessments, critically evaluating and summarizing epidemiological literature, and drafting expert reports.

Critical Evaluation of PFAS Compounds in Drinking Water and Association with Human Health Outcomes, United States — In the context of various toxic tort cases, conducted comprehensive reviews and syntheses of the available epidemiological literature regarding the potential associations between long- and short-chain PFAS and numerous human health endpoints, including cancer, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive outcomes, cardiovascular disease, liver effects, neurological impairment, and thyroid disease.

Critical Evaluation of Community Cancer Incidence Assessments for PCBs, Massachusetts — Conducted review of regulatory assessments investigating potential associations between environmental exposure to PCBs and incidence of site-specific cancers in communities near a historical industrial site.

Epidemiological Assessment of MTBE and Community Health, Texas — Critically evaluated epidemiological evidence regarding the alleged association between exposure to MTBE stemming from an accidental ship spill and a wide variety of acute health outcomes.

Epidemiological Assessment of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (LAA) and Autoimmunity, Montana — Assisted with review and appraisal of observational data addressing environmental exposure to LAA and risk of autoimmunity-related outcomes.

Epidemiological Analysis for Inhalation Exposure to Asbestos and Head and Neck Cancers, United States — Performed a meta-analysis of fiber type specific associations between occupational exposure to asbestos and the risk of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer.

State of the Science Review of PFAS Regulatory Standards and Human Serum Concentrations, United States — Managed several tasks supporting the analysis of PFAS drinking water regulations at the federal and state levels including changes to standards over time, providing a state-of-the-science review of PFAS toxicokinetics in humans with particular focus on elimination half-lives, interpreting serum PFAS concentration measurements, and evaluating modeling approaches for predicting historical serum concentrations of PFAS. Provided technical support for litigation matters involving critical evaluation of blood reconstruction approaches for estimating historical concentrations of PFAS compounds in human serum.

Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Cancer Risk Assessment, Colorado — Assisted with comprehensive assessment of inhalation unit risk (IUR) value for EtO, level of public health protection associated with the IUR value, and implications for characterizing potential community health risks from sterilization facilities for litigation support purposes. Led quantitative analysis of temporal occupational exposure patterns and benchmarked site-specific data relative to industrywide exposure metrics. Supported testifying expert with generating trial demonstratives and communicating key scientific concepts.

Prospective Epidemiological Health Surveillance in EV Sectors, United States — Assisted with development of integrated occupational health, industrial hygiene, toxicology, and data solutions for emerging industries including electric vehicle (EV), energy storage, and lithium-battery recycling. Collaborated with external stakeholders to integrate industrial hygiene monitoring data and prospective epidemiological data to help clients identify and prioritize potential health risks.

Microbial Risk Assessments, United States — Performed risk assessment for exposure to microorganisms (including bacteria and fungi, endotoxins, beta-glucans, and mycotoxins) through inhalation and ingestion pathways. Compared measured levels of microbes in consumer and pharmaceutical products to health-based guidance values. Assisted with hazard identification and dose-response assessments for several bacterial and fungal microorganisms including Paecilomyces variotii, Penicillium rubens, Paenibacillus taichungensis, and Lysinibacillus boronitolerans. Evaluated potential mycotoxin production and pathogenicity.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Nuisance Odor Investigation, Arizona — Conducted initial site visit for commercial office space in response to concerns regarding nuisance odors and indoor air quality concerns.

Assessment of International Regulatory Guidance for Use of High-End Exposure Estimates in Consumer Exposure Assessment, Worldwide — Identified and critically evaluated guidance for incorporating high end exposure estimates in regulatory contexts.

TSCA Risk Evaluations, United States — Conducted critical review of epidemiological evidence addressing various chemical exposures and cancer risks in support of TSCA risk evaluations.

Oral Nicotine Products — Performed risk assessment for exposure to microorganisms (including bacteria and fungi, endotoxins, beta-glucans, and mycotoxins) through inhalation and ingestion pathways. Compared measured levels of microbes in consumer products to health-based guidance values.