The process of chemical exposure regulation was reviewed with an emphasis on the inclusion of neurobehavioral test results in the regulatory limit setting for chemicals in the workplace. A wide range of nervous system effects was reported in the scientific citations on 172 chemicals identified in the 1989 OSHA Air Contaminants project. There was usually a delay of several years after publication before studies with neurobehavioral testing were cited in regulatory forums. The existing workplace limits needed updating for a large number of chemicals affecting the nervous system. In order to assist in identifying recent articles that had appeared in the peer reviewed literature, the authors suggested that neurobehavioral researchers become more familiar with the rule making process and also to exploit any potential for investigators to participate in this process. The authors suggest this could include submitting published research results, reporting on either the toxicity or nontoxicity of substances on the nervous system directly to the statutory agencies that have a formal role in the limit setting process and professional organizations that are active in the regulatory arena. The means for submitting study results are available through announcements from the agencies and by responding to requests in the Federal Register. The increasing use of the Internet by the statutory agencies to make announcements should make the process even easier. Documents issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will assist in formalizing neurobehavioral testing and the use of test results from workplace exposure limit setting.

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