Sharing toxicological information on industrial chemicals

A clear and comprehensive appreciation of the toxicological hazards of a substance is an essential prerequisite to establishing appropriate, balanced and effective risk management measures in the workplace. For many substances, there are currently numerous problems and issues surrounding: the adequacy of the toxicological information base; its interpretation; the transfer of key messages to, and their understanding by, those who need to take action; and the roles and practices of the various standard-setting bodies operating in this area and the interaction between them. This paper briefly touches on these issues, on a range of activities and initiatives directed at improving the current situation, and on the implications for all those involved, particularly the world occupational hygiene community.