WEB ALERT
Web sites a good resource for chemical information
By Geoff Kelafant, MD, MSPH, FACOEM
As health care systems grow in size and complexity, the number of possible hazards encountered by workers increases as well. Unfortunately, material safety data sheet (MSDS) information often is unreadable, inadequate, or inaccurate.
MSDS material was intended for workers and was never intended for use by health care professionals in diagnosing and treating exposures. Professionals who rely solely on MSDS material do so at their own and their patients’ peril.
Because chemical nomenclature often is imprecise, the most useful piece of information on the MSDS may be the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number. Although a single substance may have several (or even dozens) of names, there is only one CAS number for each unique structure. Most of the search services below allow searching by CAS number, greatly simplifying the search process.
The premier resource is the TOXNET search site at the National Library of Medicine, at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/servlets/simple-search. Files available include Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) and Integrated Risk Informa tion System (IRIS). HSDB contains detailed information, including extensive references and medical evaluation/surveillance data.
ChemFinder, at http://www.chemfinder.com/, is a metasearch engine specifically for chemical substances. It searches databases from around the world, providing information on structure, adverse effects, and physical properties. A list of links to chemistry resources is offered.
The North American Emergency Response Guidebook (1996 edition) at http://www.tc.gc.ca/canutec/english/guide/menug_e.htm contains a wealth of practical information regarding spills and first responder actions when hazardous materials are involved. Although primarily intended for the transportation industry, it can be helpful both in emergencies and in formulating policy.
NIOSH, at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh, provides several useful databases, including an index of specific medical tests for regulated substances, extensive criteria documents regarding exposure to specific chemicals, and the Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
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