Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI) (formerly multiple chemical sensitivity) is a syndrome in which individuals report illness from exposure to low levels of multiple of chemicals. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the characteristics of self-reported IEI (sr-IEI) and the onset causes of IEI. We sent a questionnaire to 488 sr-IEI subjects and received responses from 278 of them.
The survey results reveal that middle-aged women are the population mainly affected by IEI. It was found that most of the sr-IEI subjects have allergic symptoms; allergic symptoms were observed in 75.2% of the sr-IEI subjects and 38.8% of the non-IEI subjects. Most of the sr-IEI subjects were "unaware" or "hardly aware" of IEI before the onset of this syndrome, suggesting that it was unlikely that the syndrome was self-inflicted. A majority (52.9%) of the sr-IEI subjects had been diagnosed by a physician. New constructions and remodeling of homes and buildings were the common onset causes of IEI (41.7%). However, the syndrome was also caused by other factors such as indoor use of pesticides, fungicides, and termite treatments (16.2%); the use of chemicals at workplaces (9.0%); and outdoor air pollution and exhaust gas (5.4%).

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The main object of this research is to enhance the capability of the integrated chemicals management in society. We developed the evaluation indicators concerning the corporate activities of integrated chemicals management in order to aim the improvement of voluntary management by corporations. These indicators are the matrix of three horizon axes and four vertical axes. The horizon axes are Science axis (enrichment of science basis), Capacity axis (ability of persons and organization), and Performance axis (achievement, situation of cooperation with clients, and/or information disclosure to society). The elements of the vertical axes are hazard assessment, exposure assessment, risk assessment and risk management. We carried out the questionnaire survey by using this evaluation indicator system. This system was very useful to evaluate the slight differences in corporate activities concerning integrated chemical management.

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SAICM was adopted as global integrated management system of chemicals at ICCM in February 2006. ICCM was given the role of evaluation of its progress. The meaning of the adoption of SAICM is that a clear policy and concrete action plan were prepared for all actors to approach the goal expressed in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation which was adopted at WSSD. The world Chemicals management will be implemented along SAICM and each country and other sectors will be required to start the appropriate action. The contents of SAICM are overviewed. The role of actors such as government and industry in implementation of SAICM and the problems to be solved in Japan are discussed. The progress regarding SAICM after ICCM is also described briefly.

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Globally harmonization concerning the classification of chemicals, the labelling on containers or packing of hazardous chemicals and their safety data sheets was scheduled to be put into operation by 2008 under concerted actions based on the adoption of the Globally Harmonized System for Chemical Classification and Labelling (GHS) by ECOSOC of UN.
We here examine various actions taken so far by Japanese authorities, such as the publication of pamphlets, the recent amendment of Occupational Safety and Health Law and indicate that these actions are not correct in harmonizing Japanese current statutory systems to GHS. In order to introduce GHS properly into Japanese systems, there are needs of establishment of special governmental coordination mechanisms and of a comprehensive survey of differences in provisions between GHS and Japanese current systems.

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In the study series, we have been trying to make up strategies for reforming Japanese regulatory systems relating to chemicals management in order to introduce them an integrated chemicals management which are pursued internationally. We specify here peculiarities of existing regulatory systems in Japan by comparing to the principal concepts and management tools established under internationally cooperative activities in OECD or ILO, and actual administrative practices of integrated chemicals management under TSCA or EU existing rules, in order to clarify fundamental principles and a preferable legal system of integrated chemicals management and also possible provisional items needed to be included in a law concerning integrated chemicals management.

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The 18^th Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM 18) was held at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris, France. The initial assessment documents of four substances (CAS numbers: 793-24-8, 4979-32-2, 7778-54-3, 56539-66-3) and two categories (Short Chain Alkyl Methacrylate Esters and Gluconates) at SIAM 18 were submitted by the Japanese Government with or without the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and all of them were agreed at the meeting. In this report, the documents of these substances are introduced.

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The 22nd SIDS (Screening Information Data Set) Initial Assessment Meeting was held in Paris, France on 18th-21st April 2006. The initial assessment documents of 92 substances were submitted, and 90 were agreed at the meeting. The Japanese Government submitted the initial assessment documents of four substances, tetramethylammoinum hydroxide (CAS: 75-59-2), dicyclohexylamine (CAS: 101-83-7), methacrylic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol (CAS: 27813-02-1), bis(2-ethylhexyl) azelate (CAS: 103-24-2). Within these four documents, one document for dicyclohexylamine was tentatively agreed and other three documents were agreed at the meeting. This paper reports the summary record of the 22nd SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting.

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