In February 2009, I took up a post of Technical Director at Risk and Policy Analysts (RPA) following 12 years at the Institute of Environment and Health (IEH) initially at the University of Leicester and subsequently as IEH Deputy Director at Cranfield University. Previously, having gained a degree in Zoology from the University of Sheffield, I had worked in contract toxicology for over 20 years, finally holding a post as manager at a major international test facility. RPA is an independent consultancy, established in 1990, with an international client base and staff drawn from many European countries. It is active in diverse areas including policy appraisal, regulatory and business impact assessment, environmental policy and management, flood risk assessment/management, cost/risk-benefit analysis, environmental economics and chemical hazard and risk assessment and management. Since joining, I have contributed to various risk assessments and policy initiatives including work on various heavy metals and their compounds, and on policy issues relating to the recent introduction of the new European chemicals regulations REACH.

I have also been working - alongside my environmental economist colleagues - in developing methodologies that better allows the integration of epidemiological and toxicological information into socioeconomic analyses of the impacts of chemical regulation. Thus, during my time as a toxicologist and risk assessor, I have enjoyed wide ranging experience of many aspects related to the environmental and human hazards and risks of many chemical types (including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food additives and contact materials, and industrial and consumer chemicals). Although RPA is a consultancy-focused organization, I have been able to continue my strong links with the UK's thriving academic community through a Visiting Fellowship at Cranfield University and by lecturing at Leicester University. This facilitates my active involvement in a range of toxicological research issues relating to the effects on humans of environmental pollutants (be they via air, water, food, or soil), occupational agents (e.g. heavy metals and putative endocrine disrupters), regulatory toxicology and children's health.

The UK, where RPA is based, has much toxicological expertise to offer. Not only is there a strong base of consultancies and several large contract test facilities and chemical and pharmaceutical companies, but there is also a robust academic toxicological research environment. For example, first degrees in toxicology are offered by a number of University's (such as Plymouth, East London, Cardiff Metropolitan, Hull and Napier) while these and other University's - including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cranfield and Surrey - also offer a wide range of specialist taught higher degrees or post-graduate qualifications and the possibility of research degrees in fields relevant to a career in toxicology. The activities of UK toxicologists are further supported through a number of professional organizations, in particular the British Toxicology Society, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal Society of Chemistry which together provide UK scientists with many opportunities for sharing experiences and which aid in the development of this science in the UK, Europe and beyond.