Chemical toxicity has emerged as an area of great concern worldwide. The present pattern of economic development has caused many countries to shift from an agricultural base towards industrialization. This has been accompanied by increasing use of chemicals and deterioration of environmental conditions through the release of hazardous wastes that eventually affect human health.

           CRI has recognized an imperative urgency to solve these emerging problems resulting from the use of chemicals as well as to plan for future prevention. Since its establishment in 1987, the Institute has concentrated its efforts on applying scientific knowledge acquired through research and development to prevent the negative effects of chemicals. As a consequence of continuous effort in research, development of human resources, and dissemination of information, the International Centre for Environmental and Industrial Toxicology (ICEIT) has been established as a specialized center to operate and coordinate academic and research activities in the area of environmental toxicology and technology, including biotechnology to protect the environment and human health. At the same time, the center promotes and develops an awareness of environmental toxicology in all sectors of the population; government, the private sector and the general public.

            ICEIT was designated "UNEP Centre of Excellence in Environmental and Industrial Toxicology" by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1990, in recognition of the outstanding activities that it has undertaken.

           Since its establishment, the program has received support continuously from various sources such as UNDP, the Royal Thai Government’s Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme and ASEAN Foundation.

            In 2005, as a result of collaboration between CRI and World Health Organization in the area of Health and Environment within the region (SEARO, WPRO), CRI was designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building and Research in Environmental Health Science and Toxicology. The name ICEIT has now been changed to International Centre for Environmental Health and Toxicology (ICEHT) in line with the center’s broader mission.

  INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES :

	The Deutsches Krebforschungzentrum (DKFZ), Germany
	GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health        (Institute of Technology)
	International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO
	M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Texas, U.S.A.
	The United Nations University
	University of California, Irvine, U.S.A.