News and Reviews

10th International Congress of Toxicology (ICTX) was a success!

Attendees greatly enjoyed the Finnish hospitality at ICT-X including at the Congress Dinner in Tampere, July 14. IUTOX Presidents (Congress Dinner in Tampere July 14, 2004) Pictures are the IUTOX past presidents: From L to R: Ali Esat Karakaya (2004-2007), Glenn Sipes (1998-2001), Erik Dybing (2001-2004), Curtis Klaassen(1992-1995), and Iain Purchase (1995-1998).

Tenth International Congress of Toxicology was held in Tampere in Finland on July 11-15, 2004. There were 1400 participants from 75 countries attending the Congress. The venue, Tampere-Hall, offered an impressive and architecturally functional facility for the event. All feedback received so far has been very positive and participants were pleased with the scientific and social content of the event. This conclusion is also supported by a survey that was conducted during the Congress by the Finnish Convention Bureau, a Finnish organization that supports organizing international congresses in Finland.

The Organizing Committee, chaired by Dr. Kai Savolainen, carried the overall responsibility of the event. Professor Hanna Tähti, Secretary-General, and Professor Pauli Ylitalo, Treasurer of the Congress, played key-roles in the successful organization of the Congress. A major responsibility was also on the shoulders of Professor Kirsi Vähäkangas, Chair of the International Scientific Program Committee. Dr. Kirsti Husgafvel-Pursiainen was responsible for the publications of the Congress and Dr. Kimmo Peltonen was responsible for the continuing education courses, which were a great success. The Organizing worked hard and as a smooth team during the six years prior to the Congress. The organizers were happy to have Tiina Huttunen from Congreszon, the professional Congress Organizer of the ICTX, as a member of the organizing team. All important matters issues were reported to and discussed with the IUTOX Executive Committee.

During the opening ceremony of the ICTX Dr. Savolainen emphasized that there is a continuous need for toxicology and risk assessment expertise globally, because of new chemical legislation under preparation within the European Union, because of problems in chemical safety in developing countries, and because of attempts to internationally harmonize risk assessment. Dr. Dybing, President of IUTOX, Norway described the current situation of IUTOX, and emphasized a dramatic increase in the membership and activities of IUTOX. IUTOX considers capacity building in toxicology and risk assessment as one of its top priorities.

Dr. Jouko Tuomisto, the Deichmann Awardee, gave a lecture on risk assessment highlighting the importance of proper use of mechanistic data and the use of appropriate endpoints in human risk assessment. He used a model compound dioxin, as he has been one of the international leaders in research on mechanism of action of dioxins during last fifteen years. Also during the opening ceremony, the IUTOX Merit Award was presented to Dr. Iain F.H. Purchase, Past President of IUTOX and a past chair of the International Scientific Program Committee of the ICTXV held in Brighton in 1989. He is currently a Professor at the University of Manchester, UK.

On Monday, Dr. Purchase gave on keynote talk on genetically modified foods, he discussed the fears that it has caused, especially among European consumers. He indicated that data supporting dangers of genetically modified foods are scanty, but fear remain a major risk communication challenge in the European Union. On Tuesday, Dr. Curt Harris from National Cancer Institute, USA, discussed mechanisms of chemical and environmental carcinogenesis, and on Wednesday Dr. H. Vainio, Finish Institute of Occupational Health discussed prevention of chemically induced risks, the importance of the population attributable risk when executing risk prevention measures. He also covered the scientific basis of the precautionary principle in risk assessment and risk management. Mr. Geoffrey Podger, the new Executive Director of European Food Safety Authority, European Union, provided data and insights on the food safety situation within Europe. Now the situation seems to be well in control but one never knows when new challenges hide behind the corner. Therefore, the Authority has a rapid alert system. Mr. Podger also emphasized that risk communication is one of the key-responsibilities of the Authority. The European consumers need to trust that their food safety is in good hand both at European Union and national level in Europe.

In addition to the keynote lectures, several important symposia and workshops dealt with pressing toxicological problems around the world. Among them were clinical toxicology and drug safety, prevention of neurotoxic insults, and ethics in toxicological research. The use of experimental animals and development of alternative methods for experimental animal testing received much attention among participants and the media during the Congress. Chemical safety in developing countries was another hot topic at the Congress. Dr. Wesseling described a major pesticide-induced poisoning epidemic in Central America that affected more than 400,000 workers in the region. HRH Princess Chulabhorn from Thailand indicated the importance of capacity building in developing countries, and Dr. Wagida Anwar, Egypt discussed the importance of developing state-of-the-art technology to be used in risk assessment in developing countries.

These notes provide a biased view on what was going on during the Congress, as I was busy with many issues at the time. My feeling was that overall people attending the Congress were satisfied, even though it was raining for most of the time. My feeling was also that they enjoyed the scientific program, social events and simply meeting friends and colleagues from all over the world.

Kai Savolainen
President of the ICTX
Finnish SOT