Nlm Free Access To Toxicological And Environmental Health Databases - Company Business and Marketing

Online Newsletter, Oct, 2000

The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Toxicological and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) evolved from the Toxicology Information Program (TIP) that was established in 1967 at NLM in response to recommendations made in the 1966 report "Handling of Toxicological Information" prepared by the President's Science Advisory Committee. The TIP objectives were to: (1) create automated toxicology data banks, and (2) provide toxicology information and data services. The TEHIP, following recommendations of NLM's Long Range Planning Panel and the advice of its Board of Regents, expanded to cover the TIP. It is now a major function of the Specialized Information Services (SIS). The mission of TEHIP is broader in environmental and occupational health and (1) provides selected core information resources and services; (2) facilitates access to national and international information resources; and (3) strengthens the information network of toxicology and environmental health.

The Division of Specialized Information Services at NLM provides online services, responds to queries, sponsors publications, supports the information requirements of other federal agencies, and supports interactive retrieval services in toxicology hazardous chemicals and environmental health, as well as in other health-related areas. All of the TEHIP databases (except for ChemID) are available on the Toxicology Network (TOXNET (r)), a free, Web-based search system providing access to structure and nomenclature authority files for the identification of chemical substances cited in NLM databases.

Over the past two decades access to many of these databases was restricted to NLM-authorized users only or via commercial database vendors. NLM has performed a very praiseworthy effort in making these databases publicly accessible and free of charge.

The following databases are available, free of charge via TOXNET (r):

Hazardous Substances Data Bank [HSDB (r)] - is a comprehensive, scientifically reviewed, factual database containing records for over 4,500 toxic or potentially toxic chemicals. It contains extensive information in such areas as toxicity, environmental fate, human exposure, chemical safety, waste disposal, emergency handling, and regulatory requirements. The data are taken from a core set of monographs with books, government documents, special and technical reports, and primary journal literature. Users can search by chemical or other names, chemical name fragment, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry Number, and/or subject terms. Search results may be viewed, printed, or downloaded. Search results are displayed in relevancy ranked order or in a wide variety of broad groupings. Links to NLM's Internet Grateful Med (r) (IGM) and PubMed (r) are also available. The database is accessible at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov

Integrated Risk Information System [IRIS] - is an online database built by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It contains EPA carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment and regulatory information on over 500 chemicals. The risk assessment data have been scientifically reviewed by groups of EPA scientists and represent EPA consensus. Among the key data provided in IRIS are EPA carcinogen classifications, unit risks, slope factors, oral reference doses, and inhalation reference concentrations. IRIS also contains EPA Drinking Water Health Advisories and literature references. Users can search by chemical or other names, chemical name fragment, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry Number, and/or subject terms. Search results may be viewed, printed, or downloaded. Search results are displayed in relevancy ranked order or in a wide variety of broad groupings. Users can conduct their IRIS search strategy against other NLM databases such as the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (r), Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System, and GENE-TOX, as well as EPA's toxic chemical release information (TRI) and TOXLINE (r). Links to NLM's Internet Grateful Med (r) (IGM) and PubMed (r) are also available. The database is available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov

Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System [CCRIS] - is a factual data bank sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It contains evaluated data and information, derived from both short- and long-term bioassays on nearly 8,000 chemicals. Studies relate to carcinogens, mutagens, tumor promoters, cocarcinogens, metabolites and inhibitors of carcinogens. Data are derived from studies cited in primary journals, current awareness tools, NCI reports, and other special sources. Test results have been reviewed by experts in carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. Users can search by chemical or other names, chemical name fragment, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry Number, and/or subject terms. Search results may be viewed, printed, or downloaded. Search results are displayed in relevancy ranked order or in a wide variety of broad groupings. Users can conduct their CCRIS search strategy against other NLM databases such as the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (r), Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), and GENE-TOX, as well as EPA's toxic chemical release information (TRI). The TOXNET Web interface also allows users to search for toxicology literature in the following Toxicology Literature Files: TOXLINE (r), DART (r), and EMIC. Links to NLM's Internet Grateful Med (r) (IGM) and PubMed (r) are also available. The database is available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov