Catherine Boston, MPH, DABT

Ms. Boston’s work in toxicology and human health risk includes emerging contaminants, quantitative risk assessment, exposure assessments, and interpretation, critique, and analysis of epidemiological and toxicological evaluations. Ms. Boston has experience weaving together multiple lines of evidence to help fully understand general causation issues in toxic tort matters. She is involved in expanding the base of toxicological knowledge through research that seeks to improve understanding of exposures to a variety of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Ms. Boston has leveraged her expertise in a variety of contexts: she has worked closely with industry groups to proactively assess potential human health risks of emerging chemicals, has served as liaison between technical and non-technical audiences, and has provided technical support to local health agencies and municipalities.

General Causation Assessments: Evaluated the potential for environmental and product exposures to be associated with various adverse health outcomes, both in litigation and in confidential consulting contexts. Evaluations have consisted of dose reconstruction and evaluation of available lines of scientific evidence including in vitro and in vivo assays, mechanistic and toxicokinetic data, animal carcinogenicity and toxicity data, epidemiological evidence, and genotoxicity assays.

Air Exposure Modeling, Toxic Tort Case, Louisiana: Assessed potential VOC exposure to Plaintiffs using a surface water to air partitioning model and a Gaussian Plume model.

Multiple PCB Sites, South Boston, Massachusetts: Performed multiple Massachusetts Contingency Plan Method 3 Risk Characterizations for high-profile redevelopment sites in the Seaport of Boston. Demonstrated usability of historical data via spatial and statistical analysis. Statistical support helped to guide and streamline redevelopment and remediation efforts.

Fish Ingestion, West Virginia: Evaluated surface water and sediment contaminated with heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to estimate fish tissue concentrations in two rivers impacted by a former zinc smelting facility. Estimated risk for ingestion of contaminated fish to demonstrate that the exposure pathway was not of concern at the Site.

• Fire Response, California: Advise public health agency in responding to the LA Fires. Provided human health risk communication and toxicology support, including performance of a human health risk screening evaluation of fire response soil sampling data.

• Bayview Hunters Point Residents, et al., v. Tetra Tech EC, Inc., et al. 3:19-cv-01417-JD. Expert Report. June 27, 2025.

• Thomas Ryan, Susan Ryan, Sean Gallagher, Ashley Sultan Gallagher, Michele Burt, Nancy Donovan, and Lauren Ladue, v. The Newark Group, Inc., Massachusetts Natural Fertilizer Co., Inc., Otter Farm, Inc., Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc., and 3M Company. 4:22-cv-40089-MRG. Expert Report. March 31, 2025.

• Mitchell Hargreaves et al. vs. Alexander & Baldwin, LLC. In the Circuit Court of the First Circuit State of Hawaii. NO. 1CCV-21-0001330. Expert Report. Deposition May 30, 2024.

• Melford Berns, et al. vs. Monsanto Company. In the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis State of Missouri. Case No. 1922-CC11326. Expert Report. Deposition February 3, 2023.