The objective of this research program was to compile a data base covering all the commercially significant dyes and pigments produced or imported in the United States. The Organic Dyes and Pigments Data Base (ODPDB) contains the following data elements: chemical-related data (consisting of synonyms, identifiers, and descriptions of manufacturing processes, end uses, and manufacturing wastewater emissions); toxicity data (comprised of NIOSH registry numbers, threshold limit values and various standard test data); economic data on production and sales; and producer-related data (made up of company and plant site identifiers, their locations, and the associated river basins). Data were compiled on 1434 commercial products from a variety of sources, including on-line information retrieval systems, government statistical and research publications, standard industry handbooks, and in-house technical expertise. Correlation of data is accomplished by means of a System 2000 data base management system, which permits retrieval on the basis of various 'key' data elements.