ABSTRACT
In the post World War II period, control of chemical substances has developed considerably when, following major developments in chemistry; initially in the area of pharmaceuticals with the development of antibiotics, pesticides and detergents leading to major improvements to living standards problems related to chemicals started to become apparent with evidence of:
• Minamata disease induced by bioavailable mercury; • Congenital defects of thalidomide; and • A number of serious accidental releases at Seveso, Bhopal and Basel.
