A noxious agents information system with state-wide participation of the public health service

With environmental health receiving increased attention by Public Health Services, there is a need to access as efficiently as possible detailed, current, and reliable information of physico-chemical, epidemiological, and toxicological as well as regulatory and legal aspects on this subject. Correspondingly, targets 19 and 35 of WHO's "Health for all 2000" strategy all for information systems to meet these demands. On this basis, a Noxious Agents Information System (NIS) was designed with three components: PC-based information workstations allowing access to portable and online databases; a dedicated modular database system providing "immediate answers" as well as support for more comprehensive information retrieval; and a cooperative network for training, information exchange, and consultation. During 1992-93, the system was introduced in Germany in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and 54 of 59 eligible institutions (92%) of the Public Health Service decided to participate, proving a virtually state-wide introduction to be feasible. Details are presented of the NIS concept and its realization, and limitations and future perspectives are discussed.