Attitudes to Toxicology in the European Economic Community

The supply and use of chemicals in large production pharmaceutical agents, food additives and cosmetics poses many toxicological problems. Discussed are the attitudes of chemical and pharmaceutical industries to toxicology and its legislation as estabished within the Europeanm Economic Community.

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The supply and use of chemicals in large production pharmaceutical agents, food additives and cosmetics pose many toxicological problems for man and intermittently result in a serious threat to human safety and the environment. Reported here are the attitudes of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to toxicology and its associated legislation as established within the European Economic Community. The problems for industry, the protocols for hazard assessment, reports of some recent disasters as well as the identification of the special risks to infants and children are all discussed. The dilemmas faced by the pharmaceutical industry in fulfilling EEC requirements are commented upon, followed by discussions on the impending revision of the legislation on safety assessment of cosmetic products. Major issues, namely, the growing concern over food additives and the difficulties in labelling substances as 'toxic' for the environment are examined and post fire monitoring, which occurred as a result of the Schweizerhalle fire near Basel, is dealt with as a prospective indication of the means for toxicological surveillance.
It is hoped that this book will promote the necessary co- operation between the chemical industries, public health authorities, governments and all legislative bodies dealing with the safety of man and his environment in order to develop effective toxicological controls.