Objective Toxicity Classification of Chemicals on the Basis of the Statistical Analysis of Lethal Doses and Concentration Curves

Konstantin K. Sidorov1, Igor V. Sanotski2

1Russian Register of Potentially Hazardous Chemical and Biological Substances
2Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Occupational Health

(1)Corresponding author: Konstantin K. Sidorov, Ph.D., M.D.,
Russian Register of Potentially Hazardous Chemical and Biological Substances,
101479 Moscow, Vadkovsky per. 18–20, Russia
Tel./Fax: (095) 973 26 57

Abbreviations:
    CMEA: Council of Mutual Economic Aid
    EEC: European Economic Community
    GESAMP: Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution
    IMO: Intergovernmental Maritime Organisation
    IRPTC: International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals
    LC 50: Median lethal concentration
    NIOSH: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
    LD 50: Median lethal dose
    UNEP: United Nations Environmental Programme
    UN: United Nations
    WB: World Bank
    WHO: World Health Organization

CEJOEM 1996;2(4):348-356

Abstract: Toxicity and hazard classifications being in use in 6 regional and international organisations and in 73 countries have been examined. The absence of a united international classification impedes the solution of the problem of referring substances to one or another class of toxicity and hazard that in its turn can create non-tariff barriers in trade between countries. A conclusion is made as to the necessity for harmonization of existing toxicity classifications of chemicals on an international level. Proceeding from the statistical analysis of diagrams of lethal doses and concentrations of chemicals at gastrointestinal administration (4451 substances) and at inhalation exposure (276 substances) in standard laboratory models (rodents), an objective toxicity classification of substances at single exposure was substantiated. The same principle can be taken as a basis for an objective classification of chemicals in respect to other indicators.

Key words: Chemicals, toxicity and hazard classification, median lethal concentration, median lethal dose

Acknowledgment
The authors express their gratitude to IRPTC and UNEP staff for their kind assistance in presenting materials on toxicity of substances.
Received: 5 August 1996
Accepted: 21 October 1996
Posted: 31 May 2000
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