Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Cincinnati, 2007
  • B.A., Biology, Wittenberg University, 2000
Licenses & Certifications
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT)
Additional Education & Training
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, EPA Office of Research and Development National Center for Environmental Assessment, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2007-2010
Professional Affiliations
  • Member of Society of Toxicology, Risk Assessment Specialty Section, Women in Toxicology Special Interest Group
  • Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) Workgroup member
  • - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (2017-2022)
  • - 1,4-Dioxane (2019- 2025)
  • - Microplastics (2022-2023)
  • Water and Health Advisory Council – Council member (2023-present)

Janet Anderson, Ph.D., DABT, is a principal scientist and director of the Health Sciences practice at Exponent. She specializes in the toxicology of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), emerging contaminants risk assessment, consumer and environmental exposure to chemicals, general disease causation analysis, and regulatory strategy, helping legal counsel, corporate risk managers, and trade associations navigate complex chemical liability, litigation, and compliance challenges.

Dr. Anderson is an internationally recognized leader in assessing the human health risks associated with unregulated and emerging chemicals, such as PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and microplastics. She equips clients with the technical foundation to navigate varied governmental and legal actions across domestic and international jurisdictions. She has significant experience developing corporate risk management strategies for emerging and legacy chemicals, as well as providing clients with due diligence support concerning potential liability across the full lifecycle of product manufacturing, use, and disposal, as well as when evaluating mergers and acquisitions.

Dr. Anderson is a skilled communicator, often invited to address high-level scientific conferences, regulatory meetings, webinars, and community stakeholder meetings. She also serves as a testifying expert and supports clients in public and private stakeholder engagement. She excels at translating complex scientific information used to inform risk, regulatory, and public health decisions for different audiences and stakeholders. With an extensive background in evaluating emerging and legacy chemicals' toxic properties across divergent state, federal, and international regulatory paradigms, she supports the integration of scientifically informed processes in decision-making.

Human health and environmental stewardship

Dr. Anderson works regularly with legal counsel specializing in risk, compliance, and safety related to chemical and product stewardship in various industries, including national security, energy, aerospace, advanced materials manufacturing, technology, and specialty chemicals.

PFAS regulatory toxicology consulting

Dr. Anderson has extensive experience evaluating the toxicology and potential human and environmental risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the disparate patchwork of evolving federal, state, and international regulations.

General/specific disease causation

Dr. Anderson uses her training and expertise in molecular biology, toxicology, and risk assessment to determine whether a chemical is capable of producing a particular health effect in a given exposure scenario, including consumer product use, drinking water contamination, food/dietary exposures, occupational exposures, or other environmental exposure pathways. This work leverages her training in dose-response assessment, weight-of-evidence hazard identification, and exposure analysis to develop conclusions based on the best available science.

Human health toxicology and risk assessment

Dr. Anderson conducts site-specific risk assessments, including for CERCLA and numerous state-led cleanup sites. With in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and international guidance and policies pertaining to chemicals and human health risk assessment, she has developed strategies to mitigate potential human health impacts and address associated business risks for both private and public sector clients. She has experience and training in the derivation of chemical-specific cancer and noncancer toxicity values and their use within different regulatory and public health settings.