About

Mission

The Toxicology Education Foundation (TEF) is a non-profit charitable 501 (c)(3) foundation whose mission is to enhance public understanding of toxicology through access to objective, science-based information on the safety of chemicals and other agents encountered in daily life.

The general public is currently our main target audience but is not the only group TEF relates to. Our educational materials and initiatives may also be suitable for application in lower or upper grade level classrooms.

We understand that perceptions and personal decisions about chemical exposures can be influenced by many factors beyond known facts and well-substantiated scientific information. It is our goal that the public faced with making choices about chemical exposures has access to reliable information that will help lead them to make better informed decisions.

TEF Fast Facts TEF Overview Slides

A few more specific objectives of our current projects:

Enhance public awareness and understanding of fundamental key principles related to chemical hazards in our homes, workplaces, schools, and general environment. This is vital to ensuring public safety and also promotes sensible decision-making in government about current issues of concern. It also promotes public support for toxicology research and education.

Provide the general public, through our website, with a broad base of readily accessible and reliable sources of information about safety assessment of specific types of exposures that will assist them in making sound, sensible decisions regarding their own potential risks from chemicals, including drugs.

OUR HISTORY

Originally founded by the Society of Toxicology (SOT) as an independent foundation directed by SOT leadership, the Foundation became a wholly independent international charity in 2002. Trustees of the Foundation have been, and continue to be, leaders in the field of toxicology and risk assessment from government, industry, the private sector and academia. The board is international in scope and has included members from the US, Europe, South America and Asia.