EMIC: a centralized source of chemical mutagenesis information.

In 1969, a group of scientists concerned with the health hazards posed by environmental mutagens formed the Environmental Mutagen Society to encourage interest in and the study of mutagens in the human environment. In order to deal effectively with this potential health problem, these scientists saw the need for a centralized source of published information on chemicals tested for mutagenicity and, therefore, set down as one of the immediate functions of the Society, the formation of a registry of chemicals tested for mutagenicity. The Environmental Mutagen Information Center (EMIC) was established at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to fill this information need by collecting, organizing, and making available the international literature on chemical mutagenesis. EMIC is now sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute. From a simple registry of chemicals tested for mutagenicity, the scope and activities of EMIC have increased greatly. EMIC now processes all publications from the open literature dealing with the genetic effects of any environmental agent except those publications dealing exclusively with ultraviolet light or ionizing radiation.Growing concern for the long-term effects of chemical exposure on human health and interest in the relation between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity are placing ever-increasing demands on this Center. As a result of the early realization of the need for literature control, a modern, specialized information center now serves the information needs of mutagenesis workers and other interested persons around the world.