An intensive literature search was conducted by NIOSH on 640 organic compounds. The classes of compounds selected were halogenated hydrocarbons, carbonates, and phosphorylated compounds. Selection was based on consideration of their use. Subdivisions were established relative to specificity to a particular industry. These subdivisions included 253 pesticides, 50 plastic additives, 200 chemical intermediates, and 137 common solvents. The arrangement of the compounds within each subdivision was based on the secondary functional groups. Compounds were identified by alternative names, the Chemical Abstract Service registry number, empirical formula, and structural formula. The literature was searched from 1935 through 1972. Subject areas covered were in accordance with a guideline provided by NIOSH. Selection of source was based on ease of access to its contents, quality of the publication, number and scope of journals reviewed, and time lag between publication and appearance of abstracts in index journals. Several abstracting and indexing services, manufacturer's bulletins, manuals and reports, and special sources were used. Less than ten references were found for some compounds after a complete search. The percent of compounds in each group of which ten or more articles were found was about 60, 40, 35, and 50 percent for pesticides, plastic additives, chemical intermediates and industrial solvents, respectively. The authors conclude that the above values indicate that there is a paucity of data on a large number of compounds surveyed in this investigation.
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