Academic Credentials
  • M.Sc., Ecotoxicology and Pollution Monitoring, University of Luton, 1992
  • B.Sc., Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990

Mr. Byron is a human exposure assessment specialist with over 20 years of experience in risk assessment covering plant protection products, biocides, and REACH. With over ten years of experience as a senior exposure scientist in the Human Health Groups of the UK's Chemicals Regulation Directorate and Exponent, he has an in-depth knowledge of exposure and risk assessment approaches.

Mr. Byron is experienced in the provision of regulatory advice relating to the exposure of operators, bystanders/residents, and workers, and representation and negotiation with EU regulatory authorities on such issues. Mr. Byron has been involved in the preparation of exposure assessments for the European Union and EU member states in compliance with the EU plant protection product (91/414/EEC & EC 1107/2009) and biocides (98/8/EC & EU 528/2012) legislation. He has developed strategies to address specific regulatory concerns, which have included the use of higher tier exposure assessment approaches. Mr. Byron has delivered training on risk assessment approaches to the agrochemical industry and other bodies, including regulatory authorities from EU Member States and the regulatory authority for Brazil.

Mr. Byron has a strong international reputation and has been one of the principle contributors in the development of a harmonized guideline for operator, worker, and bystander exposure assessment in the EU. He also has been involved in a number of UK government and EC research projects, covering the application of pesticides by non-professional users, pesticide concentrate handling, bystander exposure, and spray drift. Mr. Byron was involved in the development of the OECD Network of Experts on Spray Drift, providing information on the UK's risk assessment approaches to spray drift and risk mitigation measures. He has additionally provided technical papers on exposure related issues to UK government advisory committees. Mr. Byron is currently supporting an industry task force who are developing new exposure model tools for predicting exposure from seed treatment and sowing treated seed.