DOHSBase Online

DOHSBase Online is the leading chemical substance database for occupational hygiene professionals. Look up any of 325,000+ substances by CAS number, EC number, or substance name and you get the full picture in one place: occupational exposure limits, REACH DNELs, kick-off values, GHS/CLP hazard classifications, physical-chemical properties, and internationally accepted measurement methods. Since 1992, we have been collecting, validating, and structuring occupational exposure data from regulatory bodies, scientific committees, and industry sources worldwide. The result is a single, reliable platform that simplifies chemical exposure assessments by providing the latest occupational hygiene data, limit values, and measurement methods — without having to switch between sources or reconcile conflicting naming conventions. Start with a free trial and explore ten substances at no cost.

Interactive Dashboard

Watch our product video to see the interactive dashboard in action. DOHSBase Online provides a clean, intuitive interface for searching substances and viewing their complete occupational hygiene profiles.

The dashboard is designed for the way occupational hygienists actually work, providing instant access to our chemical database. When you log in, you are presented with a straightforward search interface that gives you immediate access to the full database. Results are displayed in a structured, hierarchical layout so that the most relevant information – the applicable limit value for your jurisdiction – is always at the top. Supporting data such as hazard classifications, physical-chemical properties, and measurement methods are organized in clearly labeled tabs, allowing you to drill down as far as you need without losing sight of the big picture.

Navigation is fast and responsive. You can bookmark frequently consulted substances, switch between the Netherlands, France, and Europe databases with a single click, and export data directly to tools such as Stoffenmanager. Whether you are at your desk preparing a risk assessment or on-site verifying exposure conditions, the dashboard adapts to your workflow.

Finding the Right Substance

Locating a substance in DOHSBase Online is fast and flexible. You can search by:

• Chemical name – including both IUPAC names and common trade names
• CAS number – the universally recognized Chemical Abstracts Service registry number
• EC number – the European Community number used in REACH registrations
• Synonyms – DOHSBase maintains an extensive synonym list so you can find a substance even when different suppliers use different names

As you type, the search engine returns real-time suggestions, helping you identify the correct substance quickly. This is particularly valuable in workplaces where product labels may use trade names that differ from official chemical nomenclature.

What You See Per Substance

Every substance record in our chemical database is organized into clearly defined sections, giving you a complete occupational hygiene profile at a glance:

Identity and Classification

Each record begins with the substance’s identity block: chemical name, CAS number, EC number, molecular formula, molecular weight, and a 2D structural formula where available. The GHS/CLP hazard classification is displayed with all relevant H-statements and pictograms, giving you an immediate overview of the substance’s hazard profile.

Physical-Chemical Properties

Key properties such as boiling point, vapor pressure, and saturation concentration are listed. These values are essential for exposure modeling and for determining whether a substance is likely to present an inhalation risk under workplace conditions.

Limit Values

This is the core of DOHSBase. Occupational exposure limits are presented according to the DOHSBase hierarchy, which ranks values from the most authoritative (legal limits in your own country) down to hazard-banding-based estimates (including kick-off values). You see the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), short-term exposure limits (STELs), and ceiling values where they exist. The source and year of each limit value are clearly cited, so you always know the provenance of the data you are using.

Measurement Methods

DOHSBase includes over 5,500 internationally accepted measurement methods for air sampling and biological monitoring. For each substance, applicable methods are listed with their source organization (such as NIOSH, OSHA, IFA, or INRS), method number, and analytical technique.

Kick-Off Values

For substances that lack a formal OEL, DOHSBase provides a kick-off value – a conservative benchmark derived from the distribution of existing limit values for substances with similar hazard classifications. Over 100,000 kick-off values are available in the database, covering a vast number of substances that would otherwise have no quantitative guidance at all.

The Limit Value Hierarchy

Not all limit values carry the same weight. DOHSBase applies a six-level limit value hierarchy that prioritizes legal compliance limits in your own jurisdiction, followed by health-based values from independent scientific bodies, then calculated values such as REACH DNELs, and finally hazard-banding-based values including kick-off values. This hierarchy ensures that you always see the most authoritative and relevant value first, while still having access to alternative benchmarks for comparison.

Because the hierarchy is jurisdiction-aware, the same substance may display different primary limit values depending on whether you are consulting the Netherlands, France, or Europe database. This is a direct reflection of the reality that occupational exposure limits are not yet harmonized across countries.

Database Updates and Quality Assurance

The DOHSBase databases are updated at least twice a year. Each update incorporates newly published limit values, revised classifications, and additions from regulatory agencies and scientific committees. Our team of experienced occupational hygienists reviews every data point before it enters the database, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

This rigorous validation process distinguishes DOHSBase from raw regulatory data feeds. We do not simply aggregate numbers; we interpret and contextualize them within the DOHSBase hierarchy, flag inconsistencies, and resolve discrepancies between sources. The result is a curated, expert-validated dataset that you can rely on for compliance and risk assessment decisions.

Who Uses DOHSBase Online

DOHSBase Online serves a broad range of professionals involved in workplace chemical safety:

• Occupational hygienists use it as their primary reference for exposure assessments and limit value lookups
• Health and safety professionals rely on it for hazardous substance inventories and risk prioritization
• Regulatory compliance officers consult it to verify that workplace exposures meet legal requirements
• Toxicologists and risk assessors use the data for REACH compliance and DNEL comparisons
• Consultancy firms integrate DOHSBase data into client reports and safety audits

Whether you work in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food production, metalworking, or any other sector that handles hazardous substances, DOHSBase Online provides the data foundation you need.

Comprehensive Data at Your Fingertips

• 325,000+ chemical substances in the database
• 15,000+ substances with occupational exposure limit values
• 5,300+ REACH DNELs included
• 100,000+ kick-off values for substances without formal OELs
• 5,500+ measurement methods (air or biological)
• 23,000+ 2D structural formulas