Development of the toxicological files in environmental chemicals data and information network (ECDIN).

A computer-based data network containing information on potentially toxic chemicals released into the environment is being developed by the Joint Research Centre of the Commission of the European Communities and by research institutions in the member states as part of a program for environmental research. The information requested daily by toxicologists involved in administration, scientific research, and clinical or forensic toxicology covers different fields or disciplines. The data base, which is still in a pilot phase, collects data on environmental chemicals (about 30,000) spread over more than 100 data fields. These include identification; physical and chemical properties; analytical methods; economic data; hazard classifications for transport, handling and storage; waste disposal; environmental dispersion and transformation; toxicology: acute and chronic effects, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, behavioral effects; occupational air standards, first-aid treatments in case of poisoning or environmental disaster. Data stored in the data bank are original literature data which have been evaluated by specialists.