Toxicological Evaluations: Potential Health Hazards of Existing Chemicals

The toxicity of existing chemicals is evaluated by the Employment Accident Insurance Fund of the Chemical Industry (BG Chemie) under the program for the prevention of health hazards caused by industrial work substances in cooperation with international agencies and research institutes. These evaluations are based on documentation in the scientific literature, on experimental studies commissioned by the BG Chemie, and on the experience of a scientific advisory commitee. The Toxicological Evaluations are a unique and complete source of critically assessed data. They are the basis for governmental and industrial regulations. Volume 1 covered 18 substances, this second volume adds 15 documents. This series is being continued.

As part of its programme for the prevention of health hazards caused by industrial work substances, the Berufsgenossenschaft der chemischen Industrie (BG Chemie) began in 1977 to investigate the toxicity of those substances which are widely used, have many different applications and are suspected of being dangerous to health, in particular of having long-term effects on health. It is hoped by means of this testing to close gaps in our knowledge and to increase the scientific validity of the required risk assessments. The results of the toxicological investigations carried out by BG Chemie, and the resulting substance assessments have been published in West Ger- many since 1987 in the form of "Toxicological Evaluations." In order to make this useful information internationally available, the second volume (containing individual evalua- tions of 15 substances) is now being published in English. The first volume containing individual evaluations of 19 substances was published in October 1990. Because of the short time between publishing volumes 1 and 2, printing of the "Introduction" (consisting of a general overview of the programme, lists with names of people involved as well as substances under investigation was abandoned in volume 2. If there more detailed information is required, see volume 1 or contact BG Chemie at first hand. The publication of further individual evaluations and, if necessary, reassess- ments of previously published evaluations is planned.

The Toxicological Evaluations by the BG Chemie focus on the health hazards associated with industrial work substances. They are a compilation of critically assessed data for occupational safety officers, industrial hygienists and human and animal toxicologists. The series is continued in this second volume.