Syngenta Principal Scientist Speaks at Personal Care Products Council Conference

GREENSBORO, N.C., April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Syngenta Principal Scientist Timothy Pastoor, Ph.D., DABT, presented at the Personal Care Products Council's Regulatory Science Summit March 29 through 30 in Bethesda, Md. The conference featured speakers from industry, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences to address the current state of science relative to cosmetics.

Pastoor spoke on RISK21, a large, multi-stakeholder project he co-chairs that brings applicable, accurate and resource-appropriate approaches to the evolving world of human-health risk assessment. RISK21 is coordinated by the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI). It involves more than 130 stakeholders from academia, government and industry who look at exposure science, dose-response, cumulative risk assessment and novel approaches to integrated evaluation strategies.

"With all the changes in technology and all the things we can now do in a lab that seemed impossible even 20 years ago, it is important to continually evaluate the current thinking about how to approach the science and art of risk assessment," said Pastoor. "RISK21 can help scientists use fewer resources to more accurately assess human-health risk. The possibilities are very exciting, and the concept is bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, from nonprofits focused on animal health, to global chemical manufacturers and major research institutions."

A recognized science expert and lecturer on toxicology and risk-assessment subjects for Syngenta, Pastoor is frequently asked to provide insights into innovations in toxicology. Previously, he served as Syngenta's head of Human Safety, managing a team of toxicologists and risk-assessment experts who use safety, health and environmental studies to ensure the company's products are safe.

Pastoor has more than 30 years international experience in fundamental toxicity testing, mode-of-action research and human-health risk assessment. He serves on the board of both the Toxicology Forum and the International Life Sciences Institute/Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (ILSI/HESI). In addition, he is currently serving on the Society of Toxicology's Communications Committee and as president of its Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Specialty Section.

Pastoor earned his doctorate in toxicology from the University of Michigan and is certified by the American Board of Toxicology (DABT).

About the Personal Care Products Council

Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council (formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) is the leading national trade association representing the $250 billion global cosmetic and personal care products industry. Founded in 1894, the Council's more than 600 member companies manufacture, distribute and supply the vast majority of finished personal care products marketed in the U.S. As the makers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day — from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick and fragrance — personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

About HESI

The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) was established in 1989 as a global branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) to provide an international forum to advance the understanding of scientific issues related to human health, toxicology, risk assessment, and the environment. In 2002, HESI was recognized by the United States government as a publicly supported, tax-exempt organization, independently chartered from ILSI. HESI draws its sponsorship from business entities that are producers of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agricultural and other industrial chemicals, paper products, personal care and household products, food and beverages, communications products, transportation products, or energy products, or of ingredients or containers used in, or in connection with these products. Providers of scientific and technical services used in the safety testing or production of these products or in the assessment of the human health and environmental safety of these products are also sponsors. HESI has sponsorship from companies based in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life.  For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof

The Syngenta logo is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.

SOURCE Syngenta