FOREWORD 



The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is made up of four charter agencies of the U.S. Department 

 of Health and Human Services (DHHS): the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of 

 Health; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of 

 Health; the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Food and Drug Administration; and 

 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control. In 

 July 1981, the Carcinogenesis Bioassay Testing Program, NCI, was transferred to the NIEHS. The 

 NTP coordinates the relevant programs, staff, and resources from these Public Health Service agen- 

 cies relating to basic and applied research and to biological assay development and validation. 



The NTP develops, evaluates, and disseminates scientific information about potentially toxic and 

 hazardous chemicals. This knowledge is used for protecting the health of the American people and for 

 the primary prevention of disease. 



The studies described in this Technical Report were performed under the direction of the NIEHS and 

 were conducted in compliance with NTP chemical health and safety requirements and must meet or 

 exceed all applicable Federal, state, and local health and safety regulations. Animal care and use 

 were in accordance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Animals. All 

 NTP toxicology and carcinogenesis studies are subjected to a comprehensive audit before being pre- 

 sented for public review. 



These studies are designed and conducted to characterize and evaluate the toxicologic potential, in- 

 cluding carcinogenic activity, of selected chemicals in laboratory animals (usually two species, rats 

 and mice). Chemicals selected for NTP toxicology and carcinogenesis studies are chosen primarily on 

 the bases of human exposure, level of production, and chemical structure. Selection per se is not an 

 indicator of a chemical's carcinogenic potential. 



These NTP Technical Reports are available for sale from the National Technical Information Service, 

 U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703-487-4650). A list- 

 ing of printed NTP Technical Reports appears on the inside back cover. Single copies of this Tech- 

 nical Report are available without charge while supplies last from the NTP Public Information Office, 

 NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919-541-3991). 



Nitrofurantoin, NTP TR 341 



