SOCIETY O. TOXICOLOGY HISTORY - Society of Toxicology

EPILOGUE
In the early days of the Society of Toxicology, there were some who expressed doubts about the
need for such a group, but a few determined persons pressed on and the need was not long in
becoming evident, for in March 1962, 180 people were eager to become “Charter Members.”
Since then, there has been a steady growth in all aspects of the Society’s activities.
• By 1986, membership had increased from 180 active members (Charter) to 1967 active, 326
associate, 189 student members, and four honorary.
• Attendance at the scientific meetings has grown from about 300 in 1964 to over 3000 in
1986.
• The first program of the scientific meeting was a 3 3/4” by 8 1/2,” 4-page booklet listing
nine platform sessions with 70 scientific papers. In 1986, the program was an 8 1/4” by 11,” 84-
page book, with 15 platform sessions, 190 scientific papers, and 34 poster sessions with 1087
posters.
• Symposia increased from one in 1970 to 13 in 1986 running concurrently with the platform
sessions.
• Corporate Associate Membership began in 1978, with 53 members and has remained about
the same through 1986, providing the Society with additional financial support.
• Forty-seven states and 21 foreign countries are represented in the membership. The three
states with no members in SOT are: Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.
• The official journal, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, founded in 1959, has had a
steady growth and is now in its 27th year and 83rd volume. A second journal, Fundamental and
Applied Toxicology, began in 1981, is now in its sixth volume and is published bi-monthly.
• In 1982, the Council approved the formation of four regional chapters and three specialty
sections. By 1986, there were 13 regional chapters, and seven specialty sections, with more
than 400 members.
• The Society held its first meeting outside the United States in 1977 in Toronto, Canada, in
conjunction with the 1st International Congress on Toxicology.
• The concept of certifying toxicologists and accrediting toxicology laboratories originated in
the Society, and there is now an American Board of Toxicology and a Toxicology Laboratory
Accreditation Board, totally independent of the Society.
• The Society supported a 1980’s “TOX” Commission to review and recommend to the
Council goals for the next decade.
• Conferences on “Cutaneous Toxicity” were held in 1964,1968, 1976, and 1979, and were
sponsored by the Society of Toxicology and the American Medical Association.