Toxic nasties now on public database

The public now have access to a database of 90,000 chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hazardous creatures and plants.

The "Toxinz" database, developed by the National Poisons Centre, had previously been available to poisons and emergency medical experts only.

The public could obtain vital information on first-aid treatment, said clinical toxicologist Dr John Fountain. The expanded database would be launched this month at a Queenstown conference. It could be accessed at www.toxinz.com.

- NZPA