John Lowe

Background

About John Lowe

I study and solve problems related to chemical or radioactive substances in the environment which could pose a risk to human health and safety. Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked on projects represented by many of the principal environmental regulations, particularly CERCLA, RCRA, OSHAct, FIFRA, and the CAA. Much of my work has been in the U.S. for both commercial and government clients. I've acquired a broad and interdisciplinary set of skills in environmental assessment throughout my professional life. While I've had the opportunity to do a lot of different things professionally, there are a few unifying themes in my career: 1) thinking strategically about environmental problems; 2) using toxicological and exposure science principles to produce reliable and understandable assessments of health risks; 3) seeking out and curating new knowledge for solving emerging problems; 4) producing quality environmental measurements and data; and 5) standing up new programs and processes, particularly to address emerging environmental problems that are not yet part of the regulatory mainstream (“skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been”, in the words of Wayne Gretzky). My most rewarding professional experiences come from applying what I know to solve important problems, being surrounded by new ideas and opportunities to learn new skills, encountering interesting people, helping them grow in their careers and, from time to time, being able to write about those experiences.My current practice involves human health risk assessment; exposure analysis, environmental sampling and data analysis, air monitoring, air dispersion modeling, exposure modeling, industrial hygiene, and hazardous and radioactive waste cleanup. My current focus is on the assessment and mitigation of indoor vapor intrusion at sites impacted by chlorinated solvents.