The Occupational Toxicology Speciality Section provides a focus within the BTS for members with an interest in the hazards, exposures and mechanisms that lead to ill health in the workplace. It is an applied group, attracting individuals from industry, regulatory bodies and academic institutions as well as those interested in occupational medicine and epidemiology. A recent symposium organised by the Section in Autumn 2009 addressed the issue of “Genetic Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Occupational Disease”, with speakers drawn from the UK and overseas. Membership of the Section is open to all BTS members that are interested in occupational toxicology, irrespective of background or experience.
Regulatory Toxicology
The goal of the Regulatory Toxicology Speciality Section is to promote toxicology regulations founded on sound science and to try to ensure that the regulations do not impede scientific progress, whilst recognising that they must fulfil their primary role of protecting public health. The Section aims to facilitate this process by providing a key forum for the exchange of views on future developments in the scientific and regulatory arena. Since its inauguration in April 1999, the section has run many symposia, the diversity of the topics illustrating the wide range of areas of interest, for example, recently the Section ran a symposium on the scientific and regulatory developments in nanotechnology in 2009 and in medicines for children in 2010. The Section remains highly active, and welcomes suggestions for future activities from members to ensure that the needs of the BTS membership are met.
The Risk Assessment speciality section is made up of a very diverse group of toxicologists from both industry and academia and from across all the expertise areas of toxicology. The aim of the group is to promote an understanding of risk assessment, current techniques and approaches and also to consider new ways of approaching risk assessments when animal data is no longer available to us (2013). The group has had a symposium at every annual and one autumn meeting since its establishment in 2005. We are always looking for new and enthusiastic members, so let me know if you would like to join us!