Richard C. Pleus, Ph.D., M.S.

RICHARD C. PLEUS, Ph.D., heads Intertox Inc., the scientific research and consulting company he founded in 1995. Within Intertox, he brings deep knowledge of toxicology to assist in protecting public health. To date, he has performed more than 600 toxicological assessments and has analyzed the impact of hundreds of chemicals on human health for aviation and space travel, medicine, medical products, consumer products, air, soil, water, food and waste.

Dr. Pleus has particular experience and expertise in:

• Aerospace, reproductive and endocrinological toxicology and neuro- and neurodevelopmental toxicology.
• Determining effects of chemicals on the human body, including  chemical warfare agents, metals, nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals,  chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, volatile and non-volatile organic  compounds and mycotoxins.
• He is known for his ability to synthesize complex scientific information and to present accessibly for diverse audiences.
• Developing Environmental Health and Safety compliance processes for workplaces and industries.
• Developing and implementing experimental study designs for product-based health research.
• Conducting toxicological assessments for residents residing near industrial facilities.
• Conducting toxicological product and workplace safety assessments.
• Discussing science and presenting to state, federal and foreign governmental agencies.
• Communicating toxicological risks.
• Serving as expert witness for attorneys representing both plaintiff  and defense cases or as a consulting expert on toxicology and  pharmacology in litigation.

Dr. Pleus has conducted extensive scientific research at Intertox as an individual and with his global network of colleagues. He has won 6 grants for research in the last 10 years, published numerous peer-reviewed articles and written and edited books and chapters on diverse subjects in toxicology and nanotechnology. He has served as a U.S. delegate for national and international scientific conferences, including the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission on Science and Technology. His consistent presentation of scientific information in clear, layman’s terms, has made him a sought-after expert and presenter for businesses, trade organizations, and universities across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Dr. Pleus earned a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology from the University  of Minnesota, where he had earlier completed his Masters of Science in  environmental public health. Dr. Pleus’ undergraduate work was at  Michigan State University, where he graduated with honors in physiology.  He conducted his post-doctoral training in neuropharmacology at the  University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

Dr. Pleus currently leads the U.S. delegation for Environmental Health and Safety (Working Group 3) to the International Organization for Standardization (ICO) Technical Committee (TC) 229’s.

Dr. Pleus provides scientific expertise on a matter for the Innocence Project Northwest; University of Washington School of Law.