Noxen-Informationssystem NIS – ein Stoffinformationssystem für den Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGD)

Abstract

The Noxious Agents Information System (NIS) is a database containing data about health related effects of environmental pollutants and thus reflects the current state of scientific and administrative evaluation of environmental chemicals. The database serves the Public Health Service (PHS) in North Rhine-Westphalia since 1992 and nation-wide since 1995 as an information base for the environmental health work and is increasingly used by environmental authorities. The task of evaluation of environmental influences on health is generally based on federal states law, in North Rhine-Westphalia NRW on the Public Health Service Act. Since 2008, NIS is provided by LANUV NRW, Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz (State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection) in the department of environmental medicine, toxicology and epidemiology. The further development of this information system is guided by an advisory board of representatives of environmental hygiene departments of the sixteen federal states. The NIS database covers 600 substances that are especially important in local health departments for environmental health issues.