Glossary / Regulations
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is a US federal interagency program, housed within the National Institutes of Health, that tests and evaluates chemicals for toxicity. It publishes the Report on Carcinogens, which lists substances known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans.
Explanation
NTP brings together several federal health agencies to coordinate toxicology research. It runs animal studies, develops test methods, and reviews the evidence on environmental and workplace substances. Its results are widely cited by regulators, industry, and academics.
The best known product for workplace safety is the Report on Carcinogens, a congressionally mandated list updated periodically. Entries are placed in one of two categories: known to be a human carcinogen, or reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, depending on the weight of evidence.
Under HazCom, Section 11 of the SDS must state whether the chemical is listed in the NTP Report on Carcinogens, has been found a potential Carcinogen by IARC, or is regulated as a carcinogen by OSHA. That is why an SDS usually says whether any ingredient is listed by NTP, IARC, or OSHA.
NTP is a research and listing body, not a regulator. A listing does not by itself restrict use or set an exposure limit. It flags a hazard that other agencies and employers may act on, and it can feed into lists such as Proposition 65.
As with other hazard listings, the question for a worker is not only whether a chemical is listed but whether exposure occurs and how well it is controlled.
What to do and watch for
- Check the toxicological section for NTP listings on each ingredient.
- Treat listing as a prompt to review exposure and controls.
- Do not assume an unlisted chemical has been shown safe; it may simply be untested.
Where it appears on an SDS
- Section 11: Toxicological information. Carcinogenicity information in the toxicological section notes whether the product or ingredient is listed by NTP, IARC, or OSHA.
SDS content and wording vary by supplier. This page is general reference and does not replace the current SDS for your product.