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The Right to Know Reader: Our Current Laws Do Not Protect You From Toxic Chemicals

Every day, just in the course of normal activities, we are exposed to an unbelievable range of toxic chemicals that we may not know about. Of the 80,000-plus chemicals that have been approved to be on the market in the United States, approximately 17,000 are "secret." Literally, we don't know what they are.

From Bisphenol A in water bottles and cash register receipts, toxic flame retardants in furniture, and pthalates in food containers and air fresheners, to formaldehyde in hair salons that use hair-straightening products, it is nearly impossible to escape exposure to chemicals that have been linked to cancer, endocrine-disruption, liver disease and more.

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Articles of Interest

Chemicals, Metals & Pesticides in Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of domestic and imported foods through monitoring programs for pathogens, natural toxins, pesticides, and other contaminants. This website provides information on preventing foodborne illness and reducing health risks associated with chemical contaminants, pesticides, natural toxins, and metals.

Resources

Academy of Toxicological Sciences

The vision of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS) is to be recognized as the leading international organization that certifies toxicologists by peer review of education, professional experience, leadership, demonstrated achievement and scientific expertise.

International Union of Toxicology

IUTOX achieves its vision by fostering international scientific cooperation for the global acquisition and utilization of knowledge in toxicology for improvement of the health of humans and their environment.

National Toxicology Program

The NTP is an interagency program whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. The program maintains an objective, science-based approach in dealing with critical issues in toxicology and is committed to using the best science available to prioritize, design, conduct, and interpret its studies. To that end, the NTP is continually evolving to remain at the cutting edge of scientific research and to develop and apply new technologies.

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry is a non-profit, worldwide professional society. Our mission is to support the development of principles and practices for protection, enhancement and management of sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity. SETAC promotes the advancement and application of scientific research related to contaminants and other stressors in the environment, education in the environmental sciences, and the use of science in environmental policy and decision-making.

Society of Forensic Toxicologists

The Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. is an organization composed of practicing forensic toxicologists and those interested in the discipline for the purpose of promoting and developing forensic toxicology.

Society of Toxicologic Pathology

The Society of Toxicologic Pathology was founded in 1971 as a nonprofit association of pathologists and other scientists whose principal aim is the advancement of pathology as it pertains to changes elicited by pharmacological, chemical, or environmental agents, and factors that modify these responses.

Society of Toxicology

The Society of Toxicology is a professional and scholarly organization of scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of scientists who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. SOT is committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology.

Toxicology Education Foundation

The Toxicology Education Foundation’s purpose is to encourage, support, and promote charitable and educational activities that increase the public understanding of toxicology.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.

Association of Inhalation Toxicologists

The Association of Inhalation Toxicologists was founded in 1981 and is now an international association of practising inhalation toxicologists. The aim of the Association is to promote the open discussion, exchange of ideas and the presentation of high quality scientific research in the field of inhalation toxicology.

Association of Women in Forensic Science

The Association of Women in Forensic Science, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in the city of Philadelphia that provides networking opportunities for female forensic professionals, teenagers and college students. We also provide educational opportunities, mentoring and outreach programming for female and male adolescent youth ages 12-19 with the desire to pursue a career in forensic science.

Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations

The mission of the CFSO is to speak with a single forensic science voice in matters of mutual interest to its member organizations, to influence public policy at the national level and to make a compelling case for greater federal funding for public crime laboratories and medical examiner offices. The primary focus of the CFSO is local, state and national policymakers, as well as the United States Congress.

Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society

The EMGS mission is (1) to foster scientific research and education on the causes and mechanistic bases of DNA damage and repair, mutagenesis, heritable effects, epigenetic alterations in genome function, and their relevance to disease, and (2) to promote the application and communication of this knowledge to genetic toxicology testing, risk assessment, and regulatory policy-making to protect human health and the environment.

Eurotox

Eurotox aims to foster toxicology, both scientifically and educationally, in all countries of Europe. To this, Eurotox organises an annual scientific congress, workshops, and postgraduate training courses.

Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Association

FACTA Inc was established in July 2010 in Victoria — Australia. The association represents the professional interests of practitioners engaged in the conduct of forensic and clinical toxicology in Australia and our regional neighbours.

Genetic Toxicology Association

Genetic Toxicology Association is an educational & scientific organization that was founded in 1975. GTA's primary purpose is to promote the development of the science of genetic toxicology, and to foster the exchange and dissemination of information related to genetic toxicology.

Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists

The Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists is an organization integrated by professionals of Hispanic origin with expertise in scientific areas associated with Toxicology. It serves as a focal point for interaction among Hispanic Toxicologists in the United States and the international Spanish and Portuguese-speaking scientific communities with emphasis in outreach to the Hispanic population. Its main goal is to provide a forum, for the awareness and dissemination of toxicological information and issues as they relate to the Hispanic community.

International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

The fundamental mission of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology is to promote the health of the public at large. Essentially, the Academy shall continually examine and compile scientific research relating to the biocompatibility of oral/dental materials. This agenda should ensure a more informed use of these materials in clinical practice.

International Academy of Toxicologic Pathology

Established in 1999, the purpose of the International Academy of Toxicologic Pathology (IATP) is to recognize and accredit highly accomplished toxicologic pathologists to ensure the competence and experience of professional practitioners whose work affect the public welfare thought the world.

International Agency for Research on Cancer

The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research. The Agency is inter-disciplinary, bringing together skills in epidemiology, laboratory sciences and biostatistics to identify the causes of cancer so that preventive measures may be adopted and the burden of disease and associated suffering reduced. A significant feature of the IARC is its expertise in coordinating research across countries and organizations; its independent role as an international organization facilitates this activity.

International Association of Forensic Toxicologists

TIAFT groups over 1400 members from all regions of the world who are actively engaged in analytical toxicology or allied areas with the aims of this association are to promote cooperation and coordination of efforts among members and to encourage research in forensic toxicology. TIAFT members come from the police force, medical examiners and coroners' laboratories, horseracing and sports doping laboratories, hospitals, departments of legal medicine, pharmacology, pharmacy and toxicology.

International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology

The IATDMCT is an organization formed by an international group of scientists and physicians, to promote the related disciplines of therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical toxicology worldwide.

International Federation of Societies of Toxicologic Pathologists

IFSTP is a confederation of ten national and regional societies of toxicologic pathology (STPs) representing scientists from around the globe.

International Neurotoxicology Association

The purpose of the Association is to promote scientific knowledge regarding the action of toxic agents on the nervous system and the exchange of information on this field among its members as well as with scientists of other disciplines.

International Neurotoxicology Association

The INA is an organization of scientists working in the field of neurotoxicology. Fields of interest include all disciplines related to the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on the nervous system including neurochemistry, physiology, neuropathology, and behavior. Every two years, INA organizes a meeting in a quiet, and if possible, secluded place to encourage personal contact and the exchange of ideas among scientists from different disciplines working in the field and to facilitate the introduction of novices in the field to new colleagues and areas of interest

International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics

ISSX is the premier scientific organization for researchers interested in the metabolism and disposition of xenobiotics. ISSX was formed in 1981 when a small group of scientists, brought together during the 1970's under the aegis of the Gordon Research Conferences on Drug Metabolism, created an international society to promote the interaction of scientists dedicated to the study of xenobiotics in living systems. ISSX is one of the largest scientific societies dedicated to investigating the metabolism and disposition of chemicals in biological systems.

International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

The purpose of the Society is to provide an open public forum for policy makers and scientists promoting sound toxicologic and pharmacologic science as a basis for regulation affecting human safety and health, and the environment.

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment by scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances.

OSHA

OSHA currently regulates exposure to approximately 400 substances. The OSHA Chemical Sampling Information file contains listings for approximately 1500 substances; the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Substance Control Act Chemical Substances Inventory lists information on more than 62,000 chemicals or chemical substances; some libraries maintain files of material safety data sheets for more than 100,000 substances.

Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Established in 1987, the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine is a professional organization comprised of scientists and clinicians with an interest in the research and medical applications of free radical chemistry, redox biology and antioxidants.

Society for Risk Analysis

The Society for Risk Analysis is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, scholarly, international society that provides an open forum for all those who are interested in risk analysis.

Teratology Society

The Teratology Society is the premier source for cutting-edge research and authoritative information related to birth defects and other disorders of developmental origin. Members include scientists, scientists from a variety of disciplines, including researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health professionals from academia, government and industry who study birth defects and disorders of developmental origin.

Alere Toxicology

Alere Toxicology provides excellent substance abuse testing solutions, providing timely and accurate services that deter and detect drug and alcohol abuse. We are a single-source solution for quality analysis that includes laboratory testing services and point of care testing.

American Academy of Clinical Toxicology

The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology was established in 1968 as a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary organization uniting scientists and clinicians in the advancement of research, education, prevention and treatment of diseases caused by chemicals, drugs and toxins.

American Association of Poison Control Centers

The AAPCC works with America's 56 poison centers to track poisonings and their sources, including household products, food and beverages, chemicals in the workplace and home, environmental toxins, drugs and medicine, and animal and insect bites and stings. AAPCC is dedicated to actively advancing the health care role and public health mission of our members through information, advocacy, education and research.

American Board of Forensic Toxicology

The purpose of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology is to establish and enhance voluntary standards for the practice of forensic toxicology and for the examination and recognition of scientists and laboratories providing forensic toxicology services.

American Board of Toxicology

The purpose of the ABT is: -to encourage the study of the science of toxicology, -to stimulate its advancement by establishing standards for professional practice, -to prepare and administer procedures including tests for the implementation of such standards, and -to confer recognition by certificates or otherwise upon those members of the profession who, measured against such standards, demonstrate competence.

American Board of Veterinary Toxicology

The American Board of Veterinary Toxicology is a group of specially trained veterinarians that strive to inform and educate the public, private practice veterinarians and veterinary medical students about toxicologic hazards to pets, livestock and wildlife.

American Chemical Society

ACS is a congressionally chartered independent membership organization which represents professionals at all degree levels and in all fields of chemistry and sciences that involve chemistry.

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council's mission is to deliver business value through exceptional advocacy using best-in-class member performance, political engagement, communications and scientific research. We are committed to sustainable development by fostering progress in our economy, environment and society.

American College of Medical Toxicology

The American College of Medical Toxicology is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of activities.

American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

ACOEM is the nation's largest medical society dedicated to promoting the health of workers through preventive medicine, clinical care, research, and education." The site includes Guidance Statements and other position statements.

American College of Toxicology

The American College of Toxicology is a professional organization of about 1000 toxicologists who work in industry, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government regulatory agencies, or as consultants. ACT provides a forum for collegial exchange of information.

American Public Health Association

The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the profession of public health, share the latest research and information, promote best practices and advocate for public health issues and policies grounded in research. We are the only organization that combines a 140-plus year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health.

American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology

The American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology is a scientific society dedicated to the promotion of toxicology testing and research that reduces and replaces the use of animals.

Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology

The Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology in an international association established by a group of medical toxicologists in 1989. Its goal is to promote chemical safety, poison control and treatment within the Asia Pacific region.

Australasian Society of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

The Australasian Society of Oral Medicine and Toxicology is a non-profit professional organisation of dentists and doctors with associate membership open to all other interested people. The purpose of the association is to promote concepts of Bio-Compatible dentistry which are supported by scientific, peer reviewed research.

British Society of Toxicological Pathology

To advance pathology for the public benefit in all its aspects pertaining to the effects of extraneous substances and environmental agents to which man or other species are exposed through design or adventitiously. To foster training and advance education in toxicological pathology by providing continuing professional development seminars and educational training modules as a way of ensuring the continuing competence of toxicological pathologists for the benefit of the public.

British Toxicology Society

The BTS is a learned society for toxicologists in the UK and represents the interests of approximately 1,000 members. The BTS aims to keep its members well informed, having a high quality newsletter and website, covering developments on science, careers and other topics.

California Association of Toxicologists

The California Association of Toxicologists, founded in 1967, is a professional and educational association of forensic and clinical toxicologists throughout North America and the world. Our objectives are to promote the mutual exchange of information within the field of toxicology and the discussion of professional problems of common interest; and to improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the cause of toxicology.

California Department of Pesticide Regulation

The Department of Pesticide Regulation provides a large collections of data and other information related to pesticide registration, licensing, pesticide use, environmental effects, enforcement, and other elements of our program.

EPA

The Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource is the EPA's online warehouse of all publicly available chemical toxicity data and can be used to find all publicly available data about potential chemical risks to human health and the environment. ACToR aggregates data from over 1000 public sources on over 500,000 environmental chemicals searchable by chemical name, other identifiers and by chemical structure.

European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists

The European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists was founded in 1964 by a group of physicians and scientists with the specific goal of advancing knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of poisoning.

European Society of Toxicologic Pathology

The European Society of Toxicologic Pathology was established in October 2002 by a transition of the Gesellschaft für Toxikologische Pathologie. The former GTP members felt that it was important to adapt to future challenges and form a strong Europe oriented international society. All scientists working in the field of toxicologic pathology, independent of whether they are members of other European Societies or not, are invited to join the ESTP.

European Society of Toxicology In Vitro

The European Society of Toxicology In Vitro is the leading organisation in Europe that strengthens the scientific network of in vitro toxicologists and promotes in vitro toxicology, both scientifically and educationally in all countries of Europe.

Society of Toxicology of Canada

The Society’s scientific activities, presented in symposium fashion, have included critical discussion of numerous topics of contemporary interest. Our involvement as a founding member of the International Union of Toxicology extends our expression to the international field.

United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists

The UKIAFT is the professional body of forensic toxicologists in the United Kingdom and Ireland and was formed to provide a forum for practising forensic toxicologists.