An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

ToxCast Owner's Manual - Guidance for Exploring Data

ToxCast is a multi-year effort launched in 2007 that uses automated chemical screening technologies called high-throughput screening assays to expose living cells, isolated proteins, or other biological molecules to chemicals. The cells or proteins are then screened for changes in biological activity that may suggest potential toxic effects.

These innovative methods have the potential to limit the number of required laboratory animal-based toxicity tests while quickly and efficiently screening thousands of chemicals for potential health effects.

Generating ToxCast Data

Exploring ToxCast Data

The figure below provides a visual overview of the process ToxCast follows to create an accessible database of high-throughput screening information on thousands of chemicals.

Click on the boxes in the figure below to link to more information.

ToxCast Process

Select, procure, and QC chemicalsPerform high-throughput screening assaysPerform high-throughput screening assaysQA/QC and process assay resultsPublish dataExplore dataToxCast DashboardDownloadable DataQA/QC and process assay resultsExplore dataPublish data