National Poison Center Network

What are the known acute toxic effects of the product based on human exposures Initially, one might say that such information usually does not exist since our society does not condone human experimentation involving products other than drugs. Conversely, it could be argued that such information could be obtained from unplanned human exposures but that these would only occur after the product had been placed on the market. Thus, the information would not be available to the label writer at the time that it was needed. While the former statement is usually true the latter is usually not. It is the unusual product that does not have several close relatives if not a twin already in the market place. Thus, such human exposure information probably exists. One source of such information is the National Poison Center Network whose resources will be described later in this chapter. Obviously, such exposure information is undeniably superior to all others since humans form the principal audience that is to be addressed by the first aid statements. Manufacturers should make every effort to obtain such information. As previously mentioned, the sole dependency on animal studies may lead to erroneous conclusions. 

An occupational health physician or the National Poison Control Center Network, located in Pittsburgh, should either prepare or review medical treatment instructions for labeling (labels and material safety data sheets). The Center s charge for this service is quite modest. 

In 1995 the National Center for Poisoning Control and the Data Bank of Emergency Action for Acute Poisoning will be established and by 2000 some regional areas will also establish such centers. A national network for these centers will be established. 

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