Global toxicology and risk analysis: roles of the Internet and World Wide Web

There are many challenges and opportunities in being a global and/or “local” toxicologist, risk assessor, or risk manager. These include the information gathering approaches used to address human hazard identification, exposure assessment, risk characterization, risk management, risk perceptions, and needs for risk communication. Finding the best ways to keep current with the literature and other information associated with the many aspects of toxicology and risk analysis is another challenge and opportunity, as are access to good sources of training and staying aware of the applicable regulations in various countries and regions. Fortunately, a greatly increasing number of people throughout the world will have access to the Internet and World Wide Web; these systems provide 24 h a day access to numerous valuable sources of information and opportunities for training and information sharing.