Database of regulated chemicals, pathogens, and toxins

Abstract

We have developed a database of chemical substances, pathogens, and toxins (8,595 entries in total) that are regulated or defined in 22 Japanese statutes and guidelines. This database is equipped with a search function allowing users to search keywords such as names of statutes, chemical substances, pathogens, or toxins. In order to enhance convenience and to reduce chances of search failures, the keyword entry field is equipped with autocomplete functionality. Results of keyword searches based on chemical substances, pathogens,or toxins are displayed with the names of regulating statutes and a summary of legal restrictions/requirements. To facilitate its use by foreign researchers and students, users can search controlled substances, of interest either in Japanese or English. While extracting data regarding controlled substances from those statutes, we discovered that some provisions do not explicitly identify regulated materials,but only specify physical properties thereof. Accordingly, it is not possible to grasp the entire regulatory framework defined by the statutes based solely upon a database of regulated substances. However, development of the database allowing users to easily and quickly find out whether there are any regulations governing specific substances and the intent of such controls, even in English, should improve compliance, safety, and health at Japanese universities and research institutions.