Toyama University Develops System to Track Hazardous Chemicals

Toyama University of Japan has developed a computer network-based system, dubbed TULIP (Toyama University Laboratory Chemicals InPut System), to control the entire process from delivery to disposal of chemical substances used at the university. It has been fully operational since April 2004, and has been offered at no cost to national and public universities, research laboratories and institutions nationwide.

Japan's Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) Law took effect in 2001. Until then, the only requirement was to store chemicals properly. Under the new law, all bodies are obliged to record and publish the volume of chemicals emitted into the air and water, as well as the volume of transfers to other facilities. Universities where laboratories use small amounts of numerous types of chemicals have been finding it difficult to fulfill their requirements under the PRTR Law.

Toyama University developed its chemical control system over a three-year period, gathering information from concerned parties. The initiative was led by the university's Water Quality Management Center, which manages wastewater treatment. The system uses the university's existing local area computer network, and was designed to be user-friendly and flexible enough to respond to various needs. As of April, nearly 95% of Toyama University's laboratories that use chemical substances were using this system, and other universities have also shown interest.

The system automatically creates records of chemicals received and delivered and the contents of effluent, after the user enters the type and amount of chemicals and selects the destination of transfers. In addition, since this system uses open-source software, it is adaptable to the specific needs of each institution. The system is loaded with a database that covers information on more than 20,000 chemicals, in addition to the 354 items mandated by the PRTR Law. With these features, it is also expected to be useful for educating students on environmental and safety issues.



Posted: 2004/06/23 01:59:46 PM
Japanese version