Computer data bases for carcinogenicity and risk assessment

Abstract

AbstractThis paper reviews information on computer data bases for carcinogenicity and risk assessment. The data bases included were Chemical Evaluation Search and Retrieval System (CESARS), Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), Toxicology Information Online (TOXLINE), Cancer Literature (CANCERLIT), Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System (CCRIS), Public Health Risk Evaluation Database (PHRED) and Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Chemical records included in CESARS, HSDB and RTECS contain general information on carcinogenicity. TOXLINE and CANCERLIT are bibliographic data bases for toxicological and cancer studies. CCRIS contains detailed information on carcinogenicity studies for formulation of risk assessment. PHRED contains toxicological information and cancer potency factors for formulation of risk assessment. IRIS provides detailed information for carcinogenicity assessments, slope factors, unit risks and concentrations at specified risk levels for chronic exposures to carcinogens. IRIS serves as the best source of information for risk assessment for environmental contaminants.