History

SETAC History

In the 1970's, no forum existed for interdisciplinary communication among environmental scientists — biologists, chemists, toxicologists — and others interested in environmental issues such as managers and engineers. The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) was founded in 1979 to fill the void. Based on the growth in membership, annual meeting attendance, and publications, the forum was needed.

A unique strength of SETAC is its commitment to balance the interests of academia, business, and government. The Society by-laws mandate equal representation from these three sectors for officers, Board of Directors, and Committee members. And although there is no control mechanism, the proportion of members from each of the three sectors has remained nearly equal over the past 22 years.

Like many other professional societies, SETAC publishes an esteemed scientific journal and convenes an annual meeting replete with state-of-the-science poster and platform presentations. Because of its multidisciplinary approach, however, the scope of the science of SETAC is much broader in concept and application than that of many other societies.

SETAC is concerned about global environmental issues. Its members are committed to good science worldwide, to timely and effective communication of research, and to interactions among professionals so that enhanced knowledge and increased personal exchanges occur. Sister organizations, SETAC Asia/Pacific was organized in 1997; SETAC Europe was organized in 1989; and SETAC Latin America in 1999. The nonprofit SETAC Foundation for Environmental Education in 1990. As evidence of international acceptance of the SETAC model, member groups have been proposed in Russia, South Africa, Japan, and India.

Facts & Figures
Membership has increased from 230 Charter Members in October 1980 to nearly 5,000 members from 50 U.S. states, 13 Canadian provinces, and more than 70 countries worldwide.

Participants and technical presentations at SETAC annual meetings have increased from 470 attendees and 86 technical presentations in 1980, to more than 2,500 participants and nearly 1,500 presentations in 2003. More than 1,200 participants were at the SETAC Europe 13th annual meeting in Hamburg in May 2003.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, an internationally acclaimed scientific journal, has grown from a quarterly publication of fewer than 400 pages annually (1980) to a monthly publication of more than 3,094 pages in 2003. SETAC publishes the journal, along with peer-reviewed workshop and symposia proceedings and a variety of technical reports.

SETAC World Council
The SWC became effective in 2002 to promote international communication of environmental issues through research and education. The SWC faciliates continued worldwide outreach to environmental scientists, engineers, and managers; encourages development of additional SETAC member groups. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President of each geographic unit comprise the SWC.