Toxi­col­o­gist and PFAS Expert Joins CDM Smith

DENVER—CDM Smith proudly welcomes Heather Lanza, a risk assessor and toxi­col­o­gist, to its team of PFAS experts. For the past five years Lanza has been conducting health assessments and sampling envi­ron­men­tal media throughout the U.S. and Australia, bringing a unique perspective on these pervasive chemicals.

"I’ve always been fascinated by the reality that products or activities designed to make our lives easier may actually be having an adverse impact on us," she said. 

Determining a chemical's toxicity has always been a critical part of the risk assessment process, as it reveals how much of a contaminant is too much. PFAS present a number of challenges to conven­tional toxicology, which is why Lanza has been busy sharing her knowledge through inter­na­tional presen­ta­tions on topics like PFAS accu­mu­la­tion in terrestrial ecosystems, fish and biota, as well as lessons learned from her work conducting site-specific PFAS inves­ti­ga­tions.  

"Heather's compre­hen­sive under­stand­ing of emerging cont­a­m­i­nants will be a great asset for us, as well as her extensive experience working on sites impacted by PFAS," said Andrea Sewall, senior vice president and director of the Envi­ron­men­tal and Technology Group at CDM Smith.

 CDM Smith is a privately owned engineering and construc­tion firm providing legendary client service and smart solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities. Passionate about our work and invested in each other, we are inspired to think and driven to solve the world's envi­ron­men­tal and infra­struc­ture challenges.