There is a lot of information on hazardous substances the Internet, but not all of it is properly validated. Finding the information you need just by carrying out a search using a search engine can be frustrating as it can be difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff. However, there are a number of good quality online databases that can be accessed free of charge on the Internet. These are some that I find particularly useful
Toxnet
The US National Library of Medicine’s Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) operates TOXNET®, an integrated database system of hazardous chemicals, toxic releases and environmental health.
Particularly useful are
ChemIDplus – A dictionary of over 370,000 chemicals (names, synonyms, and structures) which also includes links to other databases and resources.
Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) – A databases containing comprehensive, peer-reviewed toxicology data for about 5,000 chemicals.
TOXLINE – A bibliographic database containing references from the toxicology literature. In most cases abstracts are included and they often provide enough information for a practising occupational hygienist.
Other databases on TOXNET® have information on carcinogenicity and mutagenicity test results, genetic toxicology test data and chemicals that can present a developmental and reproductive hazard
ECHA C&L Inventory database
The Classification and Labelling Inventory database, run by the European Chemicals Agency, contains classification and labelling information on notified and registered substances received from manufacturers and importers. It also includes the list of harmonised classifications. The database is refreshed regularly with new and updated notifications.
IFA Databases
The German Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (IFA, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance) has a number of very useful databases. These include
GESTIS – International limit values for chemical agents Occupational exposure limits (OELs)
This database contains occupational exposure limit values for about 1,700 substances, from various EU member states, Australia, Canada (Ontario and Québec), Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States as of March 2012.
It can be viewed online and is also available as app for iPhone, iPodtouch, iPad and Android
A DNEL – or Derived No-Effect Level – are used as part of the REACH risk assessment process and are defined as
“the level of exposure to the substance above which humans should not be exposed”.
The GESTIS DNEL Database provides workplace-related DNELs which have been established by manufacturers and importers under their own responsibility and have been published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
The database can be viewed online or downloaded as an excel spreadsheet.
GESTIS-database on hazardous substances
A database with information on approximately 8000 substances, including chemical and physical properties, basic toxicological data, advice on handling and first aid information.
Recognition, Evaluation, Control 