RTECS
Encyclopedia
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) is a database
of toxicity
information compiled from the open scientific literature without reference to the validity or usefulness of the studies reported. Until 2001 it was maintained by US
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) as a freely available publication. It is now maintained by the private company Symyx Technologies
and is available only for a fee or by subscription.
Specific numeric toxicity values such as , LC50, TDLo
, and TCLo are noted as well as species
studied and the route of administration used. For all data the bibliographic source is listed. The studies are not evaluated in any way.
of 1970 (PL 91-596). The original edition, known as the Toxic Substances List was published on June 28, 1971, and included toxicological data for approximately 5,000 chemicals. The name changed later to its current name Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. In January 2001 the database contained 152,970 chemicals. In December 2001 RTECS was transferred from NIOSH to the private company Elsevier MDL. Symyx acquired MDL from Elsevier in 2007 and the Toxicity database was included in the acquisition. The Toxicity database is only accessible for charge on an annual subscription base.
RTECS is available in English, French and Spanish language versions, offered by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
. The database subscription is offered on the Web, on CD-ROM and as an Intranet format. The database is also available online from NISC (National Information Services Corporation, RightAnswer.com, and ExPub (Expert Publishing, LLC).
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
of toxicity
Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
information compiled from the open scientific literature without reference to the validity or usefulness of the studies reported. Until 2001 it was maintained by US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States’ federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S...
(NIOSH) as a freely available publication. It is now maintained by the private company Symyx Technologies
Symyx Technologies
Symyx Technologies is a pioneer in the area of combinatorial chemistry applied to heterogeneous catalysis and homogeneous catalysis, polymer formulations, electronic and magnetic materials....
and is available only for a fee or by subscription.
Contents
Six types of toxicity data are included in the file:- Primary irritationIrritationIrritation or exacerbation, in biology and physiology, is a state of inflammation or painful reaction to allergy or cell-lining damage. A stimulus or agent which induces the state of irritation is an irritant...
- MutagenMutagenIn genetics, a mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely to be carcinogens...
ic effects - Reproductive effects
- TumorTumorA tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
igenic effects - Acute toxicity
- Other multiple dose toxicity
Specific numeric toxicity values such as , LC50, TDLo
Lowest published toxic dose
In toxicology, the Lowest published toxic dose is the lowest dosage per unit of bodyweight of a substance known to have produced signs of toxicity in a particular animal species...
, and TCLo are noted as well as species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
studied and the route of administration used. For all data the bibliographic source is listed. The studies are not evaluated in any way.
History
RTECS was an activity mandated by the US Congress, established by Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health ActOccupational Safety and Health Act
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary federal law which governs occupational health and safety in the private sector and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970...
of 1970 (PL 91-596). The original edition, known as the Toxic Substances List was published on June 28, 1971, and included toxicological data for approximately 5,000 chemicals. The name changed later to its current name Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. In January 2001 the database contained 152,970 chemicals. In December 2001 RTECS was transferred from NIOSH to the private company Elsevier MDL. Symyx acquired MDL from Elsevier in 2007 and the Toxicity database was included in the acquisition. The Toxicity database is only accessible for charge on an annual subscription base.
RTECS is available in English, French and Spanish language versions, offered by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Canada.CCOHS functions as the primary national agency in Canada for the advancement of safe and healthy workplaces and preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths...
. The database subscription is offered on the Web, on CD-ROM and as an Intranet format. The database is also available online from NISC (National Information Services Corporation, RightAnswer.com, and ExPub (Expert Publishing, LLC).