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Erin R. Bennett, Ph.D.
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Education
Ph.D., Natural Sciences, Landau University, Germany, 2006.
M.Sc., Environmental Chemistry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, 1998
B.Sc., Environmental Science, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, 1996
Technologist Diploma, Environmental Biology, Canadore College, North Bay, 1993
Biographical Sketch
Erin R. Bennett, PhD, environmental chemist, has over 10 years experience measuring environmental levels and assessing the fate of trace organic halogenated compounds, including PCBs, coplanar PCBs and PCB metabolites, in aquatic, terrestrial and biological systems. He has been involved in developing analytical methods for extracting and analyzing PCBs from water, air, sediment and biological tissues. Furthermore, he has experience in human exposure and site assessments involving PCBs and Dioxins.
Some of the work that highlights Dr. Bennett’s experience with PCB related issues and research include refining analytical methods for extracting and analysis of PCBs and their metabolites in blood samples collected from marine mammal species. Data from this research provided unique data for killer whales (Orcinus orca) on the distribution of PCB metabolites and the metabolic capacity/selectivity in this organism. He was also involved in novel approaches for the sampling of PCBs in aquatic systems using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). He showed that these sampling devices were an economical qualitative tool in determining contaminated areas (areas of concern) in aquatic systems.
Recently, he has worked as a non-testifying expert on multiple PCB associated class action law suits involving human exposure. His main role was to provide support for litigation efforts, including assisting the selection of relevant testifying experts, providing deposition and courtroom support and reviewing documentation supplied by experts from both the defense and plaintiffs. He has had the opportunity to work with both defendant and plaintiff counsels.
Dr. Bennett earned his Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from Landua University in Germany, and his Masters of Science in Environmental Chemistry from Tent University in Peterborough, Ontario. He also received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Trent University, and earned a Technologist Diploma in Enivornmental Biology from Canadore College, out of North Bay.
Publications
Hua, W.Y., E.R. Bennett, X.S. Maio, C.D. Metcalfe and R.J. Letcher. 2006. Annual spatial dynamics of major pharmaceuticals and S-triazine herbicides in waters of the upper Detroit River. Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 25(9): 2356-2365.
Hua, W.Y., E.R. Bennett, C.D. Metcalfe and R.J. Letcher. 2006. Ozone treatment and the depletion of detectable pharmaceuticals and atrazine herbicides in drinking water from the upper Detroit River, Ontario, Canada. Water Res., 40(12): 2259-2266.
Dabrowski, J.M., E.R. Bennett, A. Bollen and R. Schulz. 2006. Mitigation of azinphos-methyl in a vegetated stream: comparison of runoff and spray-drift. Chemosphere, 62(2): 204-212.
Moore, M.T., E.R. Bennett, C.M. Cooper, S. Smith Jr., J.L. Farris, K.G. Drouillard and R. Schulz. 2006. Influence of vegetation in mitigation of methyl parathion runoff. Environ. Pollution, 142(2): 288-294.
Bennett, E.R., M.T. Moore, C.M. Cooper, S. Smith Jr., F.D. Shields, Jr., K.G. Drouillard and R. Schulz. 2005. Vegetated agricultural drainage ditches for the mitigation of pyrethroid associated runoff. Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 24(9): 2121-2127.
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Presentations
Clausen J. L., E. R. Bennett I. Linkov, and E. Linkov. 2007. Predicting Environmental Effects of Emerging Materials with Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship Models: A Sensitivity Analysis. SERDP/ESTCP Symposium. December 2-7, 2007. Washington, DC.
2007. Bennett, E.R., J. Clausen and I Linkov. Factoring initial body burden into steady state concentration estimates for standard 28-day bioaccumulation tests. Presented at the 28th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2007. Steevens, J., Lotufo G., Drouillard K. and Bennett, E.R. Are QSAR models effective in predicting environmental effects of emerging military materials with limited physicochemical data? Presented at the 28th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2007. Linkov, I., Shilling C., Slavin D. and Bennett E.R. Risk Assessment and Decision Analysis Tools to Support Decision Making in Corporate and Military Settings. Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas.
2007. Clausen, J., Bennett E.R. and Linkov I. Sensitivity analysis of QSAR models in predicting environmental effects of emerging materials. Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas.
2006. Bennett, E.R., M.T., Moore, C.M. Cooper and R. Schulz. The effectiveness of vegetated agricultural drainage ditches and constructed wetlands in mitigating insecticide loadings following runoffand spraydrift events: A review. Presented at the 27th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Montreal, Québec.
2006. Schulz, R. and E.R. Bennett. When it all begins: Retention of pesticides in a newly constructed weland in South Africa. Presented at the 27th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Montreal Québec.
2005. Letcher, R.J., W. Hua, E.R. Bennett, C. D. Metcalfe. Point versus non-point sources and fate of major PPCPs and herbicides in the Detroit River: Wastewater effluent to surface water to drinking water. Presented at the 25th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.
2005. Bennett, E.R., W.Y. Hua, C.D. Metcalfe, X. Maio and R.J. Letcher. Spatial and temporal distribution of major pharmaceuticals and s-triazine herbicides in waters from the upper Detroit River. Invited to present at the North Atlantic Regional Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting, Burlington, Vermont.
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Conferences/Educational Workshops
Joint European Southern African Pesticide Conference. Cape Town, South Africa (January, 2003).
Organizer and Lecturer- Linking Ecotoxicology with the Fate of Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment, Shortcourse, 5-7 December 2005, Landau, Germany.
Organizer and Lecturer- PCB 101, An Introduction to PCBs (Target audience, Attorneys), Washington, DC.
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Professional Memberships
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
• American Chemical Society
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