Overview

Toxipedia is the free toxicological encyclopedia written by experts and edited for accuracy. Toxicology is also a resource center that provides a place for people to discuss numerous topics, find educational materials, and obtain accurate information written by people you can trust. Please see the different Ways to Contribute to begin editing pages, adding pages, or participate in a discussion. Toxipedia is a non-profit institute dedicated to further collaboration between scientists and regulators in the academic, business, government and NGO's to improve public health and the environment.

Toxipedia is a meeting a need by providing accurate information to the general public from trustworthy sources. All the authors and editors have pages were you can view their qualifications. Toxipedia tears down walls and bridges gaps to bring the debates and solutions to the public that promote an engaged citizenry.

Structure of the Site

Toxipedia is a modified-wiki website powered by the Confluence system which allows Toxipedia editors to restrict different sections of the site and guarantee accuracy on its edited pages. Still some other pages, including the comments, editorial sections, and

Benefits of a Wiki

• Anyone with access to the internet can edit or view Toxipedia, depending on the page. This makes for an easy to use collaboration environment that is accessible from any computer.
  
• No special software is needed to view or edit Toxipedia.
  
• The wiki offers a place to keep one copy of the information. There is no need to pass around a document by email that everyone adds to.
  
• Wikis offer a way to structure information using links, multiple pages, and attachments to offer a content rich environment.
  
• Toxipedia offers a way for scientists to share their knowledge with public for the benefit of the common good.
  

History

Toxipedia was initiated on June 16, 2006 and shortly thereafter Managing Editor Steve Gilbert, PhD, DABT hired Sean Foley as Senior Editor to begin adding content.

The first year of the site was dedicated toward creating content in each of the main parts of Toxipedia and showcasing some of the capabilities of the site. The History of Toxicology was the first area to be constructed, populated and linked together. After the site was popularized with content with the help of a few interns, the site began soliciting authors. Some of the first outside authors were Rick Gleason, Todd Stedeford (who is also on the Advisory Board), [Scott Jordan], and Hardy Limeback and Heather Gingerich.

The site's editors then began transferring material from Steve Gilbert's old website onto Toxipedia. This provided the site with numerous powerpoints and teaching resources.

In May of 2008, the inaugural Advisory Board was announced.

Advisory Board

Main Article: Advisory Board
The inaugural Advisory Board was established in May 2008. The board is charged with helping develop and implement strategies that will propel Toxipedia forward. Members include:

• Darryl Duke, Managing Director of Stepstone Technologies, Inc.
• Vanessa Fitsanakis, Ph.D, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at King College in Bristol, TN.
• Antoinette (Toni) Hayes, MS, Research Scientist I (Exploratory Toxicologist) at Wyeth (Andover, MA).
• Richard Hurst, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus of Geology and Geochemistry at CSU, Los Angeles.
• Hilary Karasz, Ph.D, Public Information Officer with a focus on Environmental Health, at Public Health - Seattle & King County.
• Rudy Richardson, ScD, ScM, Professor of Toxicology, Associate Professor of Neurology, Dow Professor of Toxicology at University of Michigan
• Todd Stedeford, Ph.D, JD, Toxicology Advisor and In-house Counsel at Abermarle.
  
  

Creating a Page

Main Article: Create a Page

Anyone who is registered is free to create a page. See the above link for detailed instructions.

Editing a Page

Main Article: Editing
Toxipedia is a modified wiki-website and the site has different sections that require different oversight. Some areas are completely open-source and editable by anyone. Other pages, especially those that are highly researched, are then protected and accessible only by the Managing Group.

Groups

"Groups" are just that. Groups of different highly qualified individuals with access to the pages in which they are expert. The goal of Toxipedia is to have numerous different groups - The Metals Group, The Pesticides Group, The Toxicological Historian Group, etc. - each charged with editing the pages within that group's category. The individual members within each group will have individual pages so viewers can see each expert's qualifications and curriculum vitae. The Toxipedia Administration will determine the groups and if a confluence user wishes to edit a page that has been "locked down" (ie- only edited-able by the assigned group), they can contact the administration to join the group. It is important to note that not all pages will be "locked down" and a large portion of the site will be less restricted.
One of the major concerns people have about Toxipedia is the ability to safeguard information and ensure the accuracy of the content. Taking full advantage of the sites flexibilities, we have developed a thorough framework to assure accuracy, convey to the reader the depth of the review of each page, and still maintain certain open source sections to encourage debate.

Quality Assurance

Main Article: Quality Assurance Review System
Toxipedia has developed a Quality Assurance Review System to ensure the accuracy of the information that is presented on the site. Some sections of the site are completely open source and governed by the users, while the majority of pages are written by experts or groups of experts and are edited by experts as well. The level of review is indicated by the Quality Assurance Review System.

Governance

Toxipedia is operated through the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. The site is maintained by Stepstone Technologies and is a Confluence site.

Staff

The executive director and managing editor is Steven G. Gilbert a toxicologist and author of "A Small Dose of Toxicology". More information is available A Small Dose of ..., his web site. Senior Editor Sean Foley has a BA in history from Truman State University with an interest in environmental sciences is a consultant doing research, writing, and editing for Toxipedia.