Right-to-Know Laws and Evaluation of Toxicologic Data
Authors: WILLIAM B. BUNN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1985)

Editorials1 December 1985Right-to-Know Laws and Evaluation of Toxicologic DataWILLIAM B. BUNN III, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.WILLIAM B. BUNN III, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-103-6-947 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hazard communication standard and the related state "right-to-know" laws have focused attention on workers exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals. These new regulations will require employers to communicate information to workers on the potential health effects of chemicals. Interpreting these data and estimating potential risks will be a new challenge for physicians.The concept of informing workers about the risk of their occupation has long been recognized by the judiciary. Since the late nineteenth century, state common- law courts have found that employers have a duty to warn workers of hidden hazards in the workplace,...References1. BUSWELL H. The Civil Liability for Personal Injuries Arising out of Negligence. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.; 1899:406-9. Google Scholar2. BARAM M. The right to know and the duty to disclose hazard information. Am J Public Health. 1984;74:385-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. . Hazard communication: final rule. Federal Register. November 25, 1983;48:53280. Google Scholar4. . Hazard communication: final rule. Federal Register. November 25, 1983;48:53341. Google Scholar5. . Hazard communication: final rule. Federal Register. November 25, 1983;48:53347. Google Scholar6. . General Industry: OSHA Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910). Washington, D.C.: U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1983. Google Scholar7. Threshold Limit Values For Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in the Workroom Environment. Cincinnati, Ohio: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; 1985. Google Scholar8. . Third Annual Report on Carcinogens. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 1983. Google Scholar9. . Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1985. Google Scholar10. . Hazard communication: final rule. Federal Register. November 25, 1985;48:53343-4. Google Scholar11. BRESNITZ E, REST K, and MILLER N. Clinical industrial toxicology: an approach to information retrieval. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:967-72. LinkGoogle Scholar12. HIMMELSTEIN J and FRUMKIN H. The right to know about toxic exposures: implications for physicians. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:687-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: WILLIAM B. BUNNIII, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.Affiliations: Duke University Medical Center; Durham, North Carolina PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byAccuracy, comprehensibility, and use of material safety data sheets: A reviewRecontacting subjects in mutagen-exposure-monitoring studies: II. Results of a questionnaire study of mutagenesis researchers, with review of the pertinent literature 1 December 1985Volume 103, Issue 6_Part_1Page: 947-949KeywordsHealth information technologyPrevention, policy, and public health ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1985 Copyright & Permissions©1985 American College of PhysiciansPDF downloadLoading ...