The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) was formed in 1980 and is a collaboration between three United Nations bodies, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, to establish a scientific basis for safe use of chemicals and to strengthen national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety.
A related joint project with the same aim, IPCS INCHEM, is a collaboration between IPCS and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
The IPCS identifies the following as "chemicals of major public health concern": Air pollution Arsenic Asbestos Benzene Cadmium Dioxin and dioxin-like substances Inadequate or excess fluoride Lead Mercury Highly hazardous pesticides