Information sources
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Information sources

Chemicals management
Water and waste water
Air
Product safety
Waste management
IPPC

Chemicals management

  • Databases on substance properties
  • EINECS – European Inventory of Existing Commercial Substances. Information on 100196 substances included in the EINECS (inventory of “existing” substances). CAS number, EINECS number, substance name and chemical formula can be looked up http://ecb.jrc.it/existing-chemicals/
  • ECB Classlab database. Harmonised classification and labelling for substances or groups of substances included in Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC. Search is possible using EC, CAS number or substance name.
    http://ecb.jrc.it/classification-labelling/
  • N-CLASS Database on Environmental Hazard Classification. Contains the classification and additional information on approximately 7400 dangerous substances. http://apps.kemi.se/nclass/default.asp
  • TOXNET – Toxicology Data Network. The Toxnet is an integrated system of toxicology and environmental health databases that are available free of charge on the web. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/ Some databases, which are available for searching via
  • HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data Bank)  à extensive information on toxicity, environmental fate, human exposure, chemical safety, waste disposal, emergency handling
  • IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) à carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment
  • Haz-Map - health effects of exposure to chemicals at work, jobs and hazardous tasks with occupational diseases and their symptoms
  • CCRIS  (Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System) is a factual data bank , which contains evaluated data and information on over 8,000 chemicals (carcinogens, mutagens, tumor promoters, cocarcinogens, metabolites and inhibitors of carcinogens).
  • ECOTOX Database. Provides toxicity information for aquatic and terrestrial life. It is useful for examining impacts of chemicals on the environment. http://www.epa.gov/ecotox/
  • RISKLINE Database. Contains information on both environment and health related substance properties. Search is possible with CAS No., substance name or key word. http://apps.kemi.se/riskline/index.htm

Databases on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Almost all MSDS databases are run in the United States, thus containing American SDSs which do not comply with the EU standards. European producers and suppliers often have SDSs only on their own homepages. If you search an SDS for a specific product it is best to go to the producer’s homepage and search there. If you look for information on a substance or comparable products the US-databases might still be a good information source.

  • ChemExpert. MSDS database in Belgium (some European producers with European standard SDSs can be found). Search by product name, CAS no. A list of suppliers with links to their homepages is given. http://www.chemexper.com/
  • Information for MSDS. Chemicals are sorted alphabetically or may be searched by name or synonym (approximately 16,271 entries and synonyms). Full MSDS are not available. http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/
  • Managing chemicals risks in enterprises – a handbook for professional users of chemicals. Provides information on how to improve chemicals risk management, describing many specific management instruments and practical guidance. Ask from Baltic Environmental Forum office, contacts www.bef.lv.
  • New European Chemicals policy – REACH. The website contains documents on the strategy for a new EU Chemicals Policy. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/index_en.htm

COSHH-Essentials (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations)

Guidance for minimizing health risks from the use of hazardous substances at work. Seven basic steps to assess risks implement control measures and establish good working practices.

  • 'Electronic COSHH Essentials' – a free internet tool to where you can insert information on your workplaces and get advice on what needs to be done to control chemicals. http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk/

Water and wastewater

Other lists of undesirable substances

Useful databases:

  • RISKLINE Database - Information on environment and health related properties of substances: http://apps.kemi.se/riskline/index.htm
  • TOXNET – Toxicology Data Network  http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/
  • HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data Bank)  à extensive information on toxicity, environmental fate, human exposure, chemical safety, waste disposal, emergency handling
  • IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) à carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment
  • Haz-Map à health effects of exposure to chemicals at work, jobs and hazardous tasks with occupational diseases and their symptoms
  • ECOTOX Database – Information on single chemical toxicity information for aquatic and terrestrial life: http://www.epa.gov/ecotox/
  • Database on harmonised classifications and labelling for substances or groups of substances included into Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC – Classlab database: http://ecb.jrc.it/classification-labelling/

Air

Product safety

Waste management

  • Good Housekeeping Guide to Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (by Sustainable Business Associates) includes information on waste management
    http://www.getf.org/file/toolmanager/O16F15343.pdf
  • Project EcoSmes – Services for Green Products provides practical hints for product design and waste management: http://www.ecosmes.net
  • Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Centre provides fact sheets and practical hints for printing houses on environmental issues, including waste management : http://www.pneac.org/sheets/

IPPC

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