Chemical Substances Information Network

Under section 10 authority, EPA has a Chemical Substances Information Network (CSIN) prototype under test by industry, academia, unions and state government offices. The system is intended to permit easier access to existing data resources. 

Information management by EPA, as mandated under TSCA has centered on the development of CSIN (Chemical Substances Information Network). In response to Section 10(b) this information management system has evolved to retrieve toxicological and other scientific data which could be useful to the Administrator in carrying out the act. After several years and about an equal number of millions of dollars, currently a prototype networking... 

One particular area of this response is the management of information required by TSCA. Monsanto Company s C. Elmer and J.R. Condray itemized these requirements, and reviewed the status and implications of each. Some unanticipated benefits derived from the mandated burden were emphasized. EPA s requirements for information are not yet complete further growth is expected. While EPA s Chemical Substances Information Network (CSIN) is recognized as valid in concept, there is concern that its scope may be expanding that originally envisioned for information submitted to EPA under TSCA. In addition, attention must be given to the identification and maintenance of the reliability level of the information reported, stored and extracted for use under TSCA. 

CAS Registry Number (CASRN) This unique identifier is assigned by the American Chemical Society to chemicals recorded in the CAS Registry System. This number is used to access various chemical databases including the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), CAS Online, Chemical Substances Information Network, and many others. This entry is also useful to conclusively identify a substance regardless of the assigned name. 

Chemical Substances Information Network (CSIN) The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), upon passage in 1976, became part of a complex array of at least 12 pieces of federal legislation concerned with chemicals and their mixtures. This legislation requires the private and public sectors to collect and analyze data and information relevant to the development, use smd disposal of chemical substances. An analysis conducted by EPA identified several hundred information resources that these sectors were using when responding to these needs. It became obvious that a new approach was needed to reduce the burden on organizations for the identification, acquisition and processing of material relevant to chemical substances. 

Because the program is still under development, final decisions have not been made as to the content, type, and structure of the data bases to be developed. Preliminary information indicates that the implementation strategy is to develop a network of on-line information systems concerning chemical substances. This network, called Chemical Substances Information Network (CSIN), will have seven subsystems ... 

MITRE Report No. 7558. Chemical Substances Information Network (Volumes I and II), June 1977. EPA Office of Toxic Substances The Chemical Substances Information Network by the Public Liaison Subcommittee of the Interagency Toxic Substances Data Committee, April, 1979. Toxic Substances Strategy Committee. A Report to the President Toxic Chemicals and Public Protection, May, 1980. 

Bracken, M., Dorigan, J., Hushon, J., and Overbey, II, J., MITRE Reprt MIR-7558 to CEQ, June 1977. Two volumes entitled "Chemical Substances Information Network (CSIN)". NLM Fact Sheet for the Toxicology Information Program, January 1978. 

Toxicology Data Network An interactive file of biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxico-4,100 chemicals logical, and environmental information on selected chemical substances... 

The concept of synaptic transmission postulates the release and subsequent recognition of specific chemical substances by adjacent cellular elements. In the central and peripheral nervous systems, neurons appear to form communication networks where the specificity of information transfer resides in the specific neurotransmitters and the appropriate receptors. Although large number of compounds have been suggested to be neurotransmitters, there seem to be no more than one or two expressed in any one cell type. Specificity appears to lie in the genetic expression of the enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of each of the substances. 

A network of coordinated online information systems concerning chemical substances... 

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has its own data systems network. Under NLM s MEDLARS program, a number of data bases on toxicological and health effects of chemical substances are now available. One very useful data base is TOXLINE, which stands for Toxicology Information On-Line. Full information on TOXLINE and other data bases within the NLM MEDLARS program can be obtained by contacting MEDLARS Management Section, Specialized Information Services, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20209 [(301) 496-6193], or (800) 638-8480. 

It should be understood that a complete and final catalog of pollutants and their effects cannot be given new substances are constantly entering the terrestrial chemical network, and negative effects often become apparent only after a considerable time. The number of chemical substances for which reasonably complete environmental analysis is available remains a relatively small proportion of the whole in spite of the best efforts of environmental chemists and engineers. Availability of information and data on pollution matters has, however, been much enhanced by the proliferation of enviromnent-related sites on the Internet there are far too matty to attempt to list or categorize here, but the most comprehensive is probably that of the Enviromnental Protection Agency (http //www.epa.gov). 

Databank) and ECDIN (Environmental Chemicals Data and Information Network) (see Chemical Safety Information Databases). HSDS gives extensive information about 4500 dangerous substances on practically all information types mentioned in Section 3. ECDIN is still available online and on CD-ROM. It comprises data on approximate 100000 chemicals, but the given datasets on each substance are often not completely filled with actual data. For some time ECDIN has also been available on the Internet free of charge. ... 

The CAS databases are not just a collection of files but form a network of chemical information, The information keys that form the relationship between the records of the varlou.s databases are the RNs as the substance identifiers and the ANs as the document identifiers. The information network is depicted in Figure 3, In addition to the two primary keys (RN, AN)... 

The 8(b) inventory accumulation was the next major activity. For a decentralized company like Monsanto or, for that matter, most major chemical companies, the experience of centralized information gathering was a new experience. However, we believe that the experience not only was novel, but proved to be beneficial from several points of view. First of all, it enabled us to evolve a network of expertise. Second it gave us a central data-base on which to build other information important from a corporate point of view, and permit a one-time expense for developing a system. Third, it revealed that we needed to improve our data files in some areas. And, fourth, it gave our central staff departments some surprises as to substance locations. We used the Chemical Abstract Service Registry Profile capabilities to gather all the known synonyms and added our internal numeric and common identifiers to access the file via dozens of possible names or numbers. 

The short-term actions include (1) establishment of a priority list of substances for further evaluation of their role in endocrine disruption monitoring levels of suspect chemicals in food and the environment (2) identification of vulnerable groups of people (such as children) who need to be given special consideration (3) establishment of an international network to enable information exchange and coordination of research and testing and (4) communication with the public and continuing consultation with stakeholders. 

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