Dr. Sawyer has made numerous television and media appearances with regard to toxicological
matters including food safety, poisonings, exposures, scientific methods and other
issues of public interest. His opinions have been solicited by news organizations and professional
publications on a variety of toxicological issues. This page offers some selected examples:
Quick Reference
Interview with Dr. William R. Sawyer, Ph.D.,
re: Ohio Train Derailment: Toxic Release and Plume
Toxic Plume Following Ohio Train Derailment Release & Chemicasl Burn:
Expert toxicologist Dr. William R. Sawyer, Ph.D., is interviewed by
Dan Proft & Amy Jacobson on AM 560 MORNING ANSWER (Chicago, IL)
on February 17, 2023.
Source: February 17, 2023 Chicago's Morning Answer, © Copyright 2023 Chicago's Morning Answer.[e]
If you cannot view the video, click on the link below:
MP4 download
Source: February 17, 2023, Chicago's Morning Answer, © Copyright 2023 Chicago's Morning Answer.[e]
If you cannot view the video, click on the link below:
MP4 download
Special Note: Ohio Toxic Plume Represents a Significant Toxicological Threat for Long-Term Adverse Health Effects. The scope, magnitude and duration of the toxic plume produced by ill-advised incineration of chemicals contained in the derailed tank cars is akin to that of a small volcano. The resulting deposition of combustion
artifacts released in this plume includes polyarmomatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
dioxins and other Class 1 carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). These substances can induce both acute and chronic
(long-term) adverse health effects in both residents and wildlife. Additionally, the deposition of these
substances upon agricultural regions, waterways and public areas may require substantial, costly remediation over wide areas.
Waterways along Ohio River still contaminated following train derailment carrying hazardous materials
[f]
Read the full
article at ABC News (February 14, 2023)
Dr. Sawyer offers opinions to Fox News hosts regarding
unexplained deaths in Dominican Republic
Fox News: Questions Surround Unexplained Deaths in Dominican Republic:
Fox & Friends invited Dr. Sawyer to provide his toxicological opinions regarding a
number of mysterious deaths which occurred at Dominican Republic hotels following a
U.S. State Department disclosure that yet another death had occurred.
Dr. Sawyer Cited in UK Newspaper Regarding Hydrocarbon Contamination of Marine Life
UK Independent
News: Hundreds of beached dolphin carcasses, shrimp with no eyes, contaminated
fish, ancient corals caked in oil and some seriously unwell people are among the
legacies that scientists are still uncovering in the wake of BP's Deepwater Horizon
spill. Scientists believe the addition of dispersants to the oil made it more easily
absorbed through the gills of fish and into the bloodstream. Dr William Sawyer,
a toxicologist, has studied concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) in edible
fish and shellfish in the Gulf region. Samples before the spill had no measurable
PHC in the tissue, whereas fish tested in recent months show tissue concentrations
as high as 10,000 parts per million, or 1 percent of all tissue. Dr. Sawyer stated
that: "The study shows that the absorption [of the oil] was enhanced by the
Corexit." BP says the dispersants it used are "government approved and
safe when used appropriately" and that extensive testing has shown seafood
in the Gulf is safe to eat.
Chemicals used to disperse the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are blamed for marine deaths and human illness.
[a]
Read the full
article at UK Independent News (Saturday, April 13, 2013)
Dr. Sawyer Interviewed in "Dead Files" Television Episode
Former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi, co-star of "The Dead Files"
television series, interviews Dr. Sawyer to gather toxicological information in
the hope of finding clues relating to a series of century-old arsenic suicide and
murder attempts in Erieville, New York. The case involves a mother who poisoned
her husband and three children with a traditional arsenic pesticide compound known
as "Paris Green."
Dr. Sawyer Interviewed by Lisa Myers on NBC Nightly News
NBC: Dispersants Increase Impact of Oil on Marine Life: News correspondent
Lisa Myers interviews toxicologist Dr. William R. Sawyer in an NBC Nightly News
Special Report concerning BP's use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico. Evidence
suggests that dispersants injected into oil below the surface liberate toxic hydrocarbons
which remain suspended and persist in the water, adversely impacting marine life.
Dr. Sawyer Interviewed Concerning Government Interference in Oil Spill Investigation
Scientists Unsettled by Calls From Federal Commission: Some independent
scientists who have been looking into oil spill contamination in the Gulf of Mexico
said they have received some unsettling phone calls from the federal government.
The calls came from attorneys on behalf of the National Oil Spill Commission. The
scientists said the questions seemed designed to cast doubts on their findings.
Although government officials subsequently claimed that they were merely "reaching
out" with the intent of inviting Dr. Sawyer to serve on the Presidential Commission,
this was not communicated to Dr Sawyer or to other scientists who received similar
calls from attorneys.
Source: September 16, 2010, Eyewitness News, WWLTV, © Copyright 2010 WWLTV.[d]
If you cannot view the video, click on one of the links below:
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Dr. Sawyer Interviewed Concerning Safety of Gulf Seafood
Scientists Question Thoroughness of Gulf Seafood Testing: Toxicological
expert Dr. William R. Sawyer was asked whether safety claims could be backed up
with testing performed to date. Some independent scientists are expressing concerns
that the Gulf seafood testing falls short of being thorough — even though
government officials have said the seafood is safe to eat.
Source: September 20, 2010, Maya Rodriguez, Eyewitness News, WWLTV, © Copyright 2010 WWLTV.[e]
If you cannot view the video, click on any of the links below:
Windows Media Player Quicktime Player
Source: September 20, 2010, Maya Rodriguez, Eyewitness News, WWLTV, © Copyright 2010 WWLTV.[e]
If you cannot view the video, click on any of the links below:
Windows Media Player Quicktime Player
Images and Videos
- Image is © Copyright 2023 ABC News
- Image and content are © Copyright 2013 UK Independent
News
- Images and media are © Copyright 2011
The Travel Channel, LLC
- Images and media are © Copyright 2010 NBC Nightly News
- Images and media are © Copyright 2010 Eyewitness News, WWLTV
- Images and media are © Copyright 2010 Eyewitness News, WWLTV