![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
“A Hierarchical Approach to Coding Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Substances”
This hierarchical coding system is designed to classify substances into successively subordinate categories on the basis of chemical, physical and biological properties. Although initially developed for occupational cancer epidemiological studies, it is general in nature and can be used for other purposes where a systematic approach is needed to catalogue or analyze large numbers of substances and/or physical properties.
The coding system incorporates a multi level approach, where substances can be coded both on the basis of function and composition. On the first level, a three digit code is assigned to each substance to indicate its primary use in the occupational environment (e.g. pesticide, catalyst, adhesive). Substances can then be coded using a ten digit code to indicate structure and composition (e.g. organic molecule, biomolecule, pharmaceutical). Depending on the complexity required, analysis can incorporate the three digit code, ten digit code, or a combination of both.
The approach to coding both chemical and biological agents is modeled in part after conventional approaches used by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists (IUPAC) and the International Union of Biochemists (IUB).
Development of the coding system was initiated in the 1980’s in response to a need for a system allowing analysis of individual agents as well classes or groups of substances. The project was undertaken as a collaborative venture between the BC Cancer Agency, Cancer Control Research program (then Division of Epidemiology) and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia.
Joel Lawrence Bert, October 21, 1943 – June 6, 2003. This monograph is dedicated to Joel Bert, our friend and colleague of many years, who died of cancer before this work, to which he so much contributed, became published
Notes
Joel Lawrence Bert, October 21, 1943 – June 6, 2003. This monograph is dedicated to Joel Bert, our friend and colleague of many years, who died of cancer before this work, to which he so much contributed, became published
1Since renamed: Cancer Control Research Unit of the BC Cancer Agency