Sources Building and Maintaining Data Files

INFORMATION SOURCES BUILDING AND MAINTAINING DATA FILES 

Claims are what is said in labeling and advertising, and may be either of a positive (therapeutic or beneficial) or negative (lack of an adverse effect) nature. The positive or efficacy claims are not usually the direct concern of the toxicologist though it must be kept in mind that such claims both must be proved and can easily exceed the limits of the statutory definition of a device, turning the product into a drug or combination product. 

Negative claims such as nonirritating or hypoallergenic also must be proved and it is generally the responsibility of the product safety professional to provide proof for them. There are special tests for such claims. 

The first step in any new literature review is to obtain as much of the following information as possible  

Correct chemical identity including molecular formula, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry number, common synonyms, trade names, and a structural diagram. Gosselin et al. (1984) and Ash and Ash (1994, 1995) are excellent sources of information on existing commercial products, their components and uses  

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