Objective Toxicity Classification of Chemicals on the Basis of the Statistical
Analysis of Lethal Doses and Concentration Curves
Konstantin K. Sidorov1, Igor V. Sanotski2
1Russian Register of Potentially Hazardous Chemical and Biological
Substances
2Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Occupational
Health
(1)Corresponding author: Konstantin K. Sidorov, Ph.D., M.D.,
Russian Register of Potentially Hazardous Chemical and Biological Substances,
101479 Moscow, Vadkovsky per. 18–20, Russia
Tel./Fax: (095) 973 26 57
Abbreviations:
CMEA: Council of Mutual Economic Aid
EEC: European Economic Community
GESAMP: Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects
of Marine Pollution
IMO: Intergovernmental Maritime Organisation
IRPTC: International Register of Potentially Toxic
Chemicals
LC 50: Median lethal concentration
NIOSH: National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health
LD 50: Median lethal dose
UNEP: United Nations Environmental Programme
UN: United Nations
WB: World Bank
WHO: World Health Organization
CEJOEM 1996;2(4):348-356
Abstract: Toxicity and hazard classifications being
in use in 6 regional and international organisations and in 73 countries
have been examined. The absence of a united international classification
impedes the solution of the problem of referring substances to one or another
class of toxicity and hazard that in its turn can create non-tariff barriers
in trade between countries. A conclusion is made as to the necessity for
harmonization of existing toxicity classifications of chemicals on an international
level. Proceeding from the statistical analysis of diagrams of lethal doses
and concentrations of chemicals at gastrointestinal administration (4451
substances) and at inhalation exposure (276 substances) in standard laboratory
models (rodents), an objective toxicity classification of substances at
single exposure was substantiated. The same principle can be taken as a
basis for an objective classification of chemicals in respect to other
indicators.
Key words: Chemicals, toxicity and hazard classification, median
lethal concentration, median lethal dose
Acknowledgment
The authors express their gratitude to IRPTC and UNEP
staff for their kind assistance in presenting materials on toxicity of
substances.
Received: 5 August 1996
Accepted: 21 October 1996
Posted: 31 May 2000 |
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