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PREAMBLE 15
For agents such as mixtures, drugs or lifestyle factors, a description of the agent,
including its composition, is given.
Whenever appropriate, other information, such as historical perspectives or the
description of an industry or habit, may be included.
(b)
Analysis and detection
An overview of methods of analysis and detection of the agent is presented, including
their sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. Methods widely used for regulatory
purposes are emphasized. Methods for monitoring human exposure are also given. No
critical evaluation or recommendation of any method is meant or implied.
(c)
Production and use
The dates of first synthesis and of first commercial production of a chemical, mixture
or other agent are provided when available; for agents that do not occur naturally, this
information may allow a reasonable estimate to be made of the date before which no
human exposure to the agent could have occurred. The dates of first reported occurrence
of an exposure are also provided when available. In addition, methods of synthesis used in
past and present commercial production and different methods of production, which may
give rise to different impurities, are described.
The countries where companies report production of the agent, and the number of
companies in each country, are identified. Available data on production, international
trade and uses are obtained for representative regions. It should not, however, be inferred
that those areas or nations are necessarily the sole or major sources or users of the agent.
Some identified uses may not be current or major applications, and the coverage is not
necessarily comprehensive. In the case of drugs, mention of their therapeutic uses does
not necessarily represent current practice nor does it imply judgement as to their
therapeutic efficacy.
(d)
Occurrence and exposure
Information on the occurrence of an agent in the environment is obtained from data
derived from the monitoring and surveillance of levels in occupational environments, air,
water, soil, plants, foods and animal and human tissues. When available, data on the
generation, persistence and bioaccumulation of the agent are also included. Such data may
be available from national databases.
Data that indicate the extent of past and present human exposure, the sources of
exposure, the people most likely to be exposed and the factors that contribute to the
exposure are reported. Information is presented on the range of human exposure, including
occupational and environmental exposures. This includes relevant findings from
both developed and developing countries. Some of these data are not distributed widely
and may be available from government reports and other sources. In the case of mixtures,
industries, occupations or processes, information is given about all agents known to be