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About NTP

In the course of our daily lives, human beings are exposed to many substances. Most of these chemical and physical agents are harmless at everyday doses, while others have the potential to cause adverse health effects.

NTP exists to develop the information and the tools that both agencies of government and industry need so that we can all live together safely in the same world.
David P. Rall, M.D., Ph.D., Director, 1978–1990

NTP’s mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. NTP uses the best science available to maintain an objective approach to addressing critical issues in toxicology. We are continually evolving our methodology as we develop and apply new technologies and research methods, with the goal of staying on the cutting edge of toxicological science.

We work to identify potentially hazardous substances and evaluate their effects for human health. Our scientific data, reports, and monographs are freely available on our website, and are used broadly by medical and scientific communities, health research and regulatory agencies, journalists and media professionals, and the public. The data we produce can also be used by federal and state agencies to support regulations, create guidelines, or ban hazardous substances.

By expanding the existing data pool on the potential toxicity of various substances and environmental agents—and by broadly communicating that information—NTP facilitates informed decisions to safeguard the public health, and thus helps improve the nation's overall well-being.