Unit 1.5: Toxicology of industrial chemicals

Evaluation of health hazards from substances and substance mixtures

The main tasks in the field of toxicology of industrial chemicals include advising the BGs in questions of toxicology and preparing and communicating relevant developments in the field, especially in terms of toxicological regulations.

By searching the scientific literature the unit supports the Social Accident Insurance Institutions' work by means of toxicological evaluation and risk assessment, such as for cytostatics and fibre dusts.

Aside from assessing substances and substance mixtures by evaluating the scientific literature, IFA searches for potentials to evaluate substances and substance mixtures toxicologically in the laboratory. Yet the luminous bacteria test has been used in the framework of studies on toners, laser printers and photocopiers.

Toxicology of industrial chemicals is generally handled by the unit 1.5 "Toxicology of industrial chemicals" in Division 1. The unit also cooperates in relevant committees, e.g. the Hazardous Substances Committee (AGS) (Sub-section III "Evaluation of hazardous substances") and in the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area ("MAK Commission").

As a tool supporting risk assessment at the workplace level, the unit provides and updates a database "GESTIS - criteria documents" (in German only) covering the scientific and regulatory basis on the setting of occupational exposure limits and classification of substances relevant in the workplace.