Inventory and evaluation of publicly available sources of information on hazards and risks of industrial chemicals

Abstract

Regulatory authorities from developing countries have expressed a need for guidance in locating environmental, health and safety (EHS) information on industrial chemicals. In response, possible sources were identified via a search of the Internet using relevant terms and by soliciting suggestions from more than 200 knowledgeable stakeholders. This initially identified greater than 100 databases, 41 of which were chosen for further profiling and analysis based on their size and comprehensiveness. They were divided for analysis into three distinct groups: (1) data portals that provide information seekers with an efficient simultaneous search of multiple, third-party owned and maintained databases; (2) primary EHS information sources; and (3) databases that provide only EHS-type regulatory decisions but not raw data. Descriptive evaluations of each database were performed, including: (1) scope; (2) ease of access and use; (3) breadth and depth of EHS information available; (4) quality of the underlying information; and (5) procedures to keep the information current. We conclude that, although there exists EHS information to support screening level hazard and risk assessment for the majority of the highest production volume chemicals, information gaps for lower production volume chemicals persist, and Confidential Business Information claims for some chemicals can limit the information available to the general public. A lack of information on uses and exposures to chemicals, particularly in developing countries is especially challenging. Nevertheless, there are reasons (e.g. advances in regulations, marketplace pressures, and computational toxicology science) to be optimistic that going forward information gaps can be closed at an accelerated rate.

Addressing Urgent Questions for PFAS in the 21st Century

“…Regulatory bodies in many countries have developed registries of chemicals produced or used in their jurisdictions, ,,− but much of the collected information is confidential. In addition, many newer uses of PFAS remain poorly documented in the technical literature.…”

AI for predicting chemical-effect associations at the chemical universe level—deepFPlearn

“…Many of those chemicals are not relevant for exposure since they are not used in larger quantities. The estimated number of chemicals available on the global market highly varies between 30 000 and 350 000 [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 39 ]. The number of chemicals detected in human bodies is of similar order of magnitude.…”

AI for predicting chemical-effect associations at the chemical universe level – deepFPlearn

“…Certainly, many chemicals listed in this registry are not relevant for exposure since they are not used in larger quantities. The estimated number of chemicals available on the global market highly varies between 30 000 to 100 000 [2, 3, 4] up to 350 000 [5]. It is hard to define the correct number due to several barriers and uncertainties that exist.…”

“…It is hard to define the correct number due to several barriers and uncertainties that exist. However, the authors from [4] reviewed their own and the most recent estimation by [5] and showed that the results on the actual number of chemicals in commerce are not that different, ranging around 40 000 to 69 000, and both reports draw similar conclusions and recommendations. The number of substances detected in humans is of similar order of magnitude.…”

“…Many of those chemicals are not relevant for exposure since they are not used in larger quantities. The estimated number of chemicals available on the global market highly varies between 30 000 up to 350 000 Fischer [2017], European Environment Agency [2015], Bond and Garny [2019], Wang et al [2020]. The number of chemicals detected in human bodies is of similar order of magnitude.…”