ToxFAQs^TM
Frequently Asked Questions About Contaminants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites

ATSDR ToxFAQs^TM is a series of summaries about hazardous substances being developed by the ATSDR Division of Toxicology. Information for this series is excerpted from the ATSDR Toxicological Profiles and Public Health Statements. Each fact sheet serves as a quick and easy to understand guide. Answers are provided to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about exposure to hazardous substances found around hazardous waste sites and the effects of exposure on human health.

Molecular models are included in the ToxFAQs^TM in two formats: a GIF image, usually a stereo GIF image, and an XYZ (3D viewer) file. The stereo GIF images were produced with the RasMol molecular modelling software and are viewed by slightly crossing your eyes to produce a stereoscopic 3D image. The XYZ 3D viewer file is intended to be viewed with the MDL Chemscape CHIME Plug-In software, but can be also viewed with any molecular modelling software that accepts the XYZ format such as RasMol.

When available for a specific substance, National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 704 Chemical Hazard Labels are included in the ToxFAQ^TM sheets. These labels are a standard way of quickly identifying the health, flammability, and reactivity hazards associated with specific chemicals.

Also included in each ToxFAQ^TM sheet is a link to CambridgeSoft ChemFinder. You are required to register for ChemFinder, but the service is free and contains more information about specific chemical substances as well as many links to other Web sites with even more information. In addition, a link to a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) archive will be included when one exists for a specific compound. These external links are provided for the convenience of our users - please see our disclaimer.