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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Definition

• The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) is a toxicology database of over 168,000 chemicals compiled, maintained, and updated by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Its goal is to include "all known toxic substances... and the concentrations at which... toxicity is known to occur".

• The acronym also stands for "Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey" by the US Department of Energy, which was discontinued in 1994. It is unlikely that RTECS ever appeared on a Material Safety Data Sheet in this context.

Additional Info

RTECS was mandated by the same act that created the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). It was originally called the Toxic Substances List. RTECS data is obtained from the open scientific literature and maintained by NIOSH.

Unlike many other government databases, RTECS is only available from vendors (if you dislike this, which you should, consult your congressional representatives). NIOSH has additional info and a vendor list if you would like access to the database. That page is a bit out of date, with several of the vendors having undergone consolidation. We were unable to find any firm that publicly posts its current pricing.

Books Available

• "The Complete Guide to Hazardous Waste Regulations: RCRA, TSCA, HTMA, EPCRA, and Superfund, 3rd Edition", Hardcover, 560 pages, 1999. Estimated price $165.00. Info and/or order.
• "Environmental Law: RCRA, CERCLA, and the Management of Hazardous Waste", Paperback, 318 pages, 2005. Estimated price $24.00. Info and/or order.

MSDS Relevance

RTECS data can be used to help you construct an MSDS. Six types of toxicity data are included in the file primary irritation mutagenic effects reproductive effects tumorgenic effects acute toxicity other multiple dose toxicity, including LD50 and LC50 values.

Safety signs, waste labels, spill kits and more are available at Safety Emporium.

Further Reading

• Features of the RTECS Databas at NIOSH.
• The NIOSH RTECS vendor list.
• Further info and an example entry for 1,1,2-trichloroethane at The Dialog Corporation.
• RTECS Product Fact Sheet, at Symyx, one of the licensed vendors for the database.

See also: EPCRA and the hyperlinks above.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.