Thomas L. Deardorff, Ph.D.

Dr. Deardorff possesses a broad scope of experience commensurate with previous employment in academia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and private industry. Among Dr. Deardorff’s areas of expertise are: constructed wetlands for industrial effluent treatment; wetlands restoration; calculating loss of value and subsequent reestablishment costs for forest and agricultural lands damaged by wildland fires; environmental contamination associated with large fires; water quality and industrial wastewater treatment; environmental impacts to aquatic ecosystems; investigations on the source, transport, fate, and effects of chemicals in the environment with particular expertise in contaminants such as dioxins and furans, PCBs, PAHs, and chlorinated phenols; oil spill investigations; and litigation support.

For over 15 years, Dr. Deardorff worked in the pulp and paper industry as a Human and Environmental Health Advisor. Dr. Deardorff understands the various paper mill processes and the potential impacts process changes have on the quality of wastewater released by the mills. He also served as a customer advocate for environmental issues with the industry such as paper recycling and sustainable forestry practices. The use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of industry wastewater has also been a focus for Dr. Deardorff in recent years. He has built several large treatment wetlands in the US, which have kept facilities in compliance with permits, saved clients millions of dollars, and enhanced the surrounding environment. His constructed wetland projects include capping of contaminated soils, beneficial reuse of solid-waste streams, landfill leachate treatment, habitat development, and wastewater treatment. Dr. Deardorff also chaired the Health Effects committee of the U.S. Forest & Paper Association in Washington, DC for over a decade leading its research efforts in areas such as worker exposures, epidemiology, the U.S. EPA’s dioxin reassessment, forestry-related issues and endocrine disruption. Dr. Deardorff was also involved in the associated State, Federal, and Global regulatory interactions. Dr. Deardorff’s Ph.D. research addressed the risks to humans for infections with parasitic diseases while ingesting raw or inadequately cooked fresh or marine foods, such as sushi and sashimi. He worked with parasitic diseases in humans at the University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine and the University of South Alabama’s School of Medicine, chemical and parasitic contaminants in fishes while at the U.S. FDA, and worked on issues involving medical entomology, including bedbug infestations.

Projects of significance since joining Exponent include involvement in wetland restoration and mitigation projects in the US, participation on teams advising the Iraq Ministry of the Environment of achieving the best management practices of wetland restoration of the lower reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; participation on an oil spill cleanup in a river in the upper Amazon Basin (Ecuador); involvement of defending environmental claims in wildland fires in southern California; and assistance on a two-country (Uruguay and Argentina) dispute on the environmental impacts and Best Management Practices for Uruguay paper mill, which was heard at the International Court of Justice (The Hague). Dr. Deardorff is extensively published.

Deardorff TL, Flowers T, Hamilton D. Stemming the tide: Lessons learned from the loss and restoration efforts of the Iraqi wetlands with comparisons with San Francisco Bay. Proceedings, World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Vol. 414, 2011.

Deardorff TL, Menzie C, Pryke D. Uruguay’s Orion Mill wins landmark environmental case before the World Court. Paper 360° 2011; 40–42.

Deardorff TL, Flowers T, Hamilton D, Cattarossi A, Lecollinet J. The value of a constructed wetland in southern Iraq to sustainably enhance water quality. Proceedings, World Environmental & Water Resources Congress. Vol. 414, 2011.

Deardorff TL, Karch NJ, Holm SE. Dioxin levels in ash and soil generated in Southern California fires. Organohalogen Compd 2010; 70:2284–2288.

Golden R, Holm SE, Deardorff TL, Kelly CR, Jones W. The consequences of sample preparation methods on the derivation of environmentally relevant ecotoxicology data for two complex mixtures. Bullet Environ Contam Toxicol 2008, in press.

Hall TJ, Fisher RP, Rodgers Jr JH, Minshall GW, Landis WG, Kovacs T, Firth BK, Dube MG, Deardorff TL. A long-term multi-trophic level study to assess pulp and paper mill effluent discharges on aquatic communities in 4 U.S. receiving waters: Background and status. Integr Environ Assess Manage 2009; 5(2):189–198.

Hall TJ, Fisher RP, Rodgers Jr JH, Minshall GW, Landis WG, Kovacs T, Firth BK, Dube MG, Flinders CA, Deardorff TL, Borton DL. A long-term multi-trophic level study to assess pulp and paper mill effluent discharges on aquatic communities in 4 U.S. receiving waters: Lessons learned. Integr Environ Assess Manage 2009; 5(2):283–290.

Mesard PM, Deardorff TL. Stormwater management during construction—A technical perspective. Proceedings, American Bar Association’s Toxic Tort Environmental Law Section, Scottsdale, AZ, 2008.

Kelly CR, Golden R, Holm SE, Deardorff TL, Festa JL. Toxicity investigations associated with Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas exposed to spent pulping liquor from an elemental-chlorine-free kraft mill. pp. 304–309. In: Pulp & Paper Mill Effluent Environmental Fate & Effects. Borton DL, Hall TJ, Fisher RP, Thomas JF (eds), DEStech Publications, Inc., 2004.

Deardorff TL, Rodgers, Jr., JH, Felder DP, D’Surney SJ. A multifaceted investigation of the aquatic ecosystems near a bleached and unbleached kraft mill. In: Environmental Impacts of Pulp and Paper Waste Streams. Proceedings, 3rd International Conference on Environmental Fate and Effects of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents. Stuthridge TR, Van den Heuvel MR, Marvin NA, Slade AH, Gifford J (eds), 2003.

Mastin BJ, Rodgers, Jr., JH, Deardorff TL. Risk evaluation of Cyanobacteria-dominated algal “blooms” in a North Louisiana reservoir. J Aquat Ecosystem Stress Recovery 2002; 9:103-114.

D’Surney SJ, Eddy LP, Felder DP, Rodgers, JR., JH, Deardorff TL. Assessment of the impact of a bleached kraft mill effluent on a south-central USA river. Environ Toxicol 2000; 15:28-39.

Rigby MC, Adamson ML, Deardorff TL. Camallanus carangis Olsen, 1954 (Nematoda: Camallanidae) preported from French Polynesia and Hawai’i with a redescription of the species. J Parasitol 1998; 84(1):158–162.

Felder DP, D’Surney SJ, Rodgers, Jr., JH, Deardorff TL. A comprehensive environmental assessment of a receiving aquatic system near an unbleached kraft mill. Ecotoxicology 1998; 7:313-324.

Deardorff TL, Renard JJ, Phillips RB. An environmental assessment before and after conversion of a bleached draft mill to elemental-chlorine-free bleaching. pp. 143–150. In: Chlorine and Chlorine Compounds in the Paper Industry. Turosky V (ed), Ann Arbor Press, Inc., Chelsea, MI, 1997.

Middaugh DP, Beckham N, Fournie JW, Deardorff TL. Evaluation of bleached kraft mill process water using Microtox, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Menidia beryllina toxicity tests. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1997; 32(4):367-375.

Rigby MC, Font WF, Deardorff TL. Redescription of Camallanus cotti Fujita. 1927 (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from Hawai’i. J Parasitol 1997; 83(6):1161–1164.

Deardorff TL . International Paper follows science in ECF [Elemental-Chlorine-Free], TCF [Totally-Chlorine-Free] choice. Pulp Paper 1997; 10:97–103.

Overstreet RM, Hawkins WE, Deardorff TL. The western mosquitofish as an environmental sentinel: parasites and histological lesions. pp. 495-509. In: Environmental fate and effects of pulp mill effluents. Servos MR, Munkittrick KR, Carey JH, Van Der Kraak G (eds), St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL, 1996.

Rakocinski CF, Milligan MR, Heard RW, Deardorff TL. Comparative evaluation of macrobenthic assemblages from the Sulphur River, Arkansas, in relation to pulp mill effluent. pp. 533-547. In: Environmental Fate and Effects of Pulp Mill Effluents. Servos MR, Munkittrick KR, Carey JH, and Van Der Kraak G (eds), St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL, 1996.

Sakanari JA, Moser M, Deardorff TL. Fish parasites and human health: Epidemiology of human helminthic infections. Report No. T-CSGCP-034, California Sea Grant College, University of California, La Jolla, CA, 1995.

Deardorff TL, Renard JJ, Phillips RB. Elemental-chlorine-free bleaching: An environmental assessment in the mill and adjacent aquatic ecosystem. pp. 50-53. Proceedings, Pacific Paper '95 conference. Vancouver, BC, October 15–18, 1995.

Deardorff TL, Willhelm RR, Nonni AJ, Renard JJ, Phillips RB. Formation of polychlorinated phenolic compounds during high chlorine dioxide substitution bleaching. Part 3. Mill trial results. Tappi J 1994; 77(8):163–168.

Deardorff TL, Jones RE, Kayes SG. Adherence of eosinophils to the epicuticle of infective juveniles of Anisakis simplex (Nematoda: Anisakidae). J Helminth Soc WA 1991; 58:131-137.

Deardorff TL, Fukumura T, Kayes SG. Human anisakiasis transmitted by marine food products. Hawaii Med J 1991; 50:9–16.

Deardorff TL. Epidemiology of marine fish-borne parasitic zoonoses. Southeast J Parasitol 1991; pp. 146–149.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Seafood-transmitted zoonoses in the United States: the fishes, the dishes, and the worms. pp. 211–265. In: Microbiology of Marine Food Products. Ward DR and Hackney CR (eds), Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1991.

Jones RE, Deardorff TL, Kayes SG. Anisakis simplex: Histopathological changes in experimentally infected CBA/J mice. Exper Parasitol 1990; 70:305–313.

Harrell LW, Deardorff TL. Human nanophyetiasis: transmission by handling naturally infected coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). J Infect Dis 1990; 161:146-148.

Deardorff TL. Response of the calico scallop, Argopecten gibbus, in infection with larval Sulcascaris sulcata (Nematoda: Anisakidae). J Helminth Soc WA 1989; 56:82–85.

Deardorff TL, Kent ML. Prevalence of larval Anisakis simplex in pen-reared and wild-caught salmon (Salmonidae) from Puget Sound, Washington. J Wildl Dis 1989; 25:416-419.

Deardorff TL. Parasites that are transmitted from marine food products to humans. In: Scientific Summary on Seafood. J Food Technol 1989.

Brooks DR, Deardorff TL. Rhinebothrium devaneyi n. sp. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea) and Echinocephalus overstreeti Deardorff and Ko, 1983 (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) in a thorny back ray, Urogymnus asperrimus, from Enewetak Atoll, with phylogenetic analysis of both species groups. J Parasitol 1988; 74:459–465.

Deardorff TL. Anisakiasis: Taking prevention to extremes. Proceedings, International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine 1988; 19:144–146.

Deardorff TL, Throm R. Commercial blast-freezing of third-stage Anisakis simplex larvae encapsulated in salmon and rockfish. J Parasitol 1988; 74:600–603.

Sakanari JA, Loinaz M, Deardorff TL, Raybourne RB, McKerrow JH, Fryerson JE. Intestinal anisakiasis: A case diagnosed by morphologic and immunologic methods. Am J Clin Pathol 1988; 90:107–113.

Jones, III, RE, Deardorff TL Kayes SG. Immune responses of mice to the marine ascaridoid nematode, Anisakis simplex: preliminary findings. Proceedings, International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine 1988; 19:139–142.

Mattis TE, Deardorff TL. Ice pick in the stomach of a white pelican, Pelacanus erythrorhynchos. Proceedings, International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine 1988; 19:175-178.

McKerrow JH, Sakanari JA, Deardorff TL. Revenge of the sushi parasite. New Engl J Med 1988; 319:1228–1229.

Deardorff TL. Redescription of Pulchrascaris chiloscyllii (Johnston and Mawson, 1951) (Nematoda: Anisakidae), with comments on species in Pulchrascaris and Terranova. J Helminth Soc WA 1987; 54:28–39.

Deardorff TL, Altman J, Nolan CM. Human anisakiasis: Two case reports from the State of Washington. J Helminth Soc WA 1987; 54:274–275.

Deardorff TL. Marine mammals: A barometer for human disease? Proceedings, International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine 1987; 18:136–141.

Bier JW, Deardorff TL, Jackson GJ, Raybourne RB. Human anisakiasis. pp. 723–733. In: Bailliere’s Clinical Tropical Medicine and Communicable Diseases, Vol. 2, Intestinal Helminthic Infections. Pawlowski ZS (ed), W.B. Saunders Company, United Kingdom, 1987.

Deardorff TL, Fukumura T, Raybourne RB. Invasive anisakiasis: A case report from Hawaii. Gastroenterology 1986; 90:1047–1050.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM, Okihiro M, Tam R. Piscine adult nematode invading an open lesion in a human hand. Am J Tropical Med Hyg 1986; 35:827–830.

Raybourne RB, Deardorff TL, Bier JW. Anisakis simplex: Larval excretory-secretory protein production and cytostatic action in mammalian cell cultures. Exper Parasitol 1986; 62:92–97.

Deardorff TL. Helminths and human health: An update on larval ascaridoid nematodes in seafood products. Proceedings, Annual Tropical and Subtropical Fisheries Conference of the Americas 1986; 11:285–291.

Deardorff TL, Raybourne RB, Desowitz RS. Behavior and viability of third-stage larvae of Terranova sp. (type HA) and Anisakis simplex (type I) under coolant conditions. J Food Protect 1984; 47:49–52.

Deardorff TL, Raybourne RB, Mattis TE. Infections with trypanorhynch plerocerci (Cestoda) in Hawaiian fishes of commercial importance. Sea Grant Quarterly 1984; 6(3):1–6.

Deardorff TL, Raybourne RB, Desowitz RS. Description of a third-stage larva, Terranova type Hawaii A (Nematoda: Anisakinae), from Hawaiian fishes. J Parasitol 1984; 70:829-831.

Deardorff TL, Kliks MM, Desowitz RS. Histopathology induced by larval Terranova (type HA) (Nematoda: Anisakinae) in experimentally infected rats. J Parasitol 1983; 69:191–195.

Deardorff TL, Ko RC. Echinocephalus overstreeti sp. n. (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) in the stingray, Taeniura melanophilos Bleeker, from the Marquesas Islands, with comments on E. sinensis Ko, 1975. J Helminth Soc WA 1983; 50:285–293.

Deardorff TL, Stanton RG. Nematode-induced abdominal distention in the Hawaiian puffer fish, Canthigaster jactator (Jenkins). Pac Sci 1983; 37:45–47.
Raybourne RB, Desowitz RS, Kliks MM, Deardorff TL. Anisakis simplex and Terranova sp.: Inhibition by larval excretory-secretory products of mitogen induced rodent lymphoblast proliferation. Exper Parasitol 1983; 55:289–298.

Rychlinski RA, Deardorff TL. Spirocamallanus: A potential fish health problem. Freshwater Marine Aquarium 1982; 5:22-23, 79, 84.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Hysterothylacium pelagicum sp. n. and H. cornutum from marine fishes. J Helminth Soc WA 1982; 49:246–251.

Deardorff TL.. Abnormal morphology in Contracaecum sp. n. (Anisakidae: Anisakinae). J Helminth Soc WA 1982; 49:325–326.

Deardorff TL, Kliks MM, Rosenfeld ME, Rychlinski RA, Desowitz RS. Larval ascaridoid nematodes from fishes near the Hawaiian Islands with comments on pathogenicity experiments. Pac Sci 1982; 36:187–201.

Deardorff TL. 1982. What’s bugging the billfishes? Pacific Gamefish Research 1982; Winter issue, p 4.

Deardorff TL, Brooks DR, Thorson TB. Two species of Echinocephalus (Nematoda: Gnathostomidae) from neotropical stingrays with comments on E. diazi. J Parasitol 1981; 67:433–439.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Raphidascaris camura sp. n., Hysterothylacium eurycheilum (Olsen) comb. n., and comments on Heterotyphlum Spaul (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea) in marine fishes. J Parasitol 1981; 67:426-432.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Terranova ceticola sp. n. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the dwarf sperm whale, Kogia simus, from Mississippi. System Parasitol 1981; 3:25–29.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Larval Hysterothylacium (=Thynnascaris) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from fishes and invertebrates in the Gulf of Mexico. J Helminth Soc WA 1981; 48:113–126.

Deardorff TL. Adult ascaridoid nematodes from fishes of the northern Gulf of Mexico with notes on some larval forms. Dissertation. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1980.

Brooks DR, Deardorff TL. Three proteocephalid cestodes from Colombian siluriform fishes, including Nominoscolex alovarius sp. n. (Monticelliidae: Zygobothriinae). J Helminth Soc WA 1980; 47:15-21.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Taxonomy and biology of North American species of Goezia (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from fishes, including three new species. J Helminth Soc WA 1980; 47:192–217.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Review of Hysterothylacium and Iheringascaris (both previously = Thynnascaris) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Proc. Biological Society of Washington 1980; 93:1035–1079.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Contracaecum multipapillatum (synonym = C. robustum) from fishes and birds in the northern Gulf of Mexico. J Parasitol 1980; 66:853–856.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Goezia lacerticola sp. n. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Alligator mississippiensis from Florida. J Helminthol 1979; 53:317–320.

Deardorff TL, Schmidt GD, Kuntz RE. Allohymenolepis palawanensis sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) from the Philippine bird, Nectarinia jugularis (Tweeddale 1878). J Helminthol 1978; 52:211–213.

Deardorff TL, Brooks DR. Passerilepis schmidti sp.n. (Cestoidea: Hymenolepididae) from the blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata L. in Nebraska. J Helminth Soc WA 1978; 45:190–192.

Deardorff TL, Overstreet RM. Thynnascaris rhacodes sp. n. (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea) in fishes from the Israeli Mediterranean coast. Annales de Parasitologie (Paris) 1978; 53:519–525.

Deardorff TL, Schmidt GD, Kuntz RE. Tapeworms from Philippine birds, with three new species of Raillietina (Raillietina). J Helminthol 1976; 50:133–142.

Recent Abstracts

Deardorff TL, Flowers T, Hamilton D, Cattarossi A, Lecollinet J. The value of a constructed wetland in southern Iraq to sustainably enhance water quality. World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Palm Springs, CA, May 2011.

Deardorff TL, Flowers T, Hamilton D. Stemming the tide: Lessons learned from the loss and restoration efforts of the Iraqi wetlands with comparisons with San Francisco Bay. Proceedings, World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Vol. 414, Palm Springs, CA, May 2011.

Holm SE, Gross TS, Deardorff TL. Dioxin in fish caught in the lower St. John’s River Basin: an evaluation of pulp and paper process modifications from 1995–2009. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 30th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2009.

Deardorff TL, Holm SE. Heavy metals and other elements found in ash and soil samples following the 2007 Southern California fires. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 29th Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, 2008.

Holm SE, Deardorff TL, Karch NJ. The contribution of forest fires to the generation of dioxins and furans in ash and soil. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 29th Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, 2008.

Mesard PM, Deardorff TL. Stormwater management during construction—A technical perspective. American Bar Association meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 2008.

Deardorff TL, Karch NJ, Holm SE. Dioxin levels in ash and soil following the Southern California fires. 28th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants, Birmingham, England, 2008.

Flowers T, Deardorff TL. The role of wetlands as a viable treatment technology for developing nations. World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Honolulu, HI, May 12–16, 2008.

Catarossi A, Lecollinet J, Hamilton D, Deardorff TL. The Iraqi wetlands: Ecological stress and hydrological potential for restoration. SETAC Europe 17th Annual Meeting, Porto, Portugal, May 20-24, 2007.

Deardorff T. The feasibility of using a microcosm-scaled wetland for treating wastewater from a pulp and paper mill. SETAC Europe 17th Annual Meeting, Porto, Portugal, May 20-24, 2007.

Deardorff TL, Flowers T, Hamilton D, Cattarossi A, Lecollinet J. Development of a constructed wetland in Southern Iraq. SETAC Europe 17th Annual Meeting, Porto, Portugal, May 20-24, 2007.

Deardorff TL. The efficacy of a constructed wetland for the pulp and paper industry: From the laboratory to a full-scale trial. SETAC North America 27th Annual Meeting, Montréal, Québec, November 5–9, 2006.

Kelly CR, Holm SE, Golden R, Deardorff TL. Rosin and tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) do not exhibit acute toxicity to aquatic organisms using OECD recommended methodology. SETAC Europe, 2005.

Kelly CR, Holm SE, Golden R, Deardorff TL. Environmentally relevant ecotoxicology data for two complex mixtures. SETAC North America 25th Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, November 14–18, 2004.

International Paper Company

Manufacturing Solutions Leadership Team, 2004–2005
Fiberline & Environmental Manufacturing Solutions, 2003–2004
Environmental Health and Safety Lead Team, 2001–2003
Environmental Business Services, 2001–2003
Research & Development Fellow, 1997–2005
Manager, Environmental Technology, 1996–1997
Manager, Pulp Manufacturing Technology, 1994–1996
Principle Scientist, Pulp Manufacturing Technology, 1994
Senior Research Scientist, Pulp Manufacturing Technology (1993–1994
Research Scientist, Pulp Manufacturing Technology, 1990–1993

Other Professional Positions

Faculty (Adjunct), Dept of Biology, University of Mississippi, 1997–1999
Assistant Professor of Structural and Cellular Biology (Adjunct), College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 1987–1991
United States Food and Drug Administration, Division of Contaminants Chemistry, 1985–1990
Faculty, Department of Tropical Medicine and Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Leahi Hospital, University of Hawaii, 1980–1985
Research Scientist, Pacific Gamefish Foundation, 1982–1985
Research Faculty, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, 1982–1984
Postdoctoral Awardee, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 1979–1980