On the premise that many laboratory instructors lack knowledge about chemical toxicity, this study investigated three areas: (1) chemicals used in the academic laboratory which pose a health hazard; (2) ways of reducing toxicity in the laboratory (with attention to the apparent lack of teacher training which contributes to the cause of the problem and to suggestions for monitoring units and facility devices to reduce the hazard); and (3) state and federal regulations and resource materials for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals. An annotated bibliography is included which examines each of these areas. Findings clearly establish the need for teachers to be informed of the chemicals which are potential health hazards and indicate that educating laboratory instructors to the hazards of certain chemicals is the initial approach to reducing the dangers of chronic poisons in the classrooms. Recommendations based on these and other findings include removing all carcinogenic chemicals from classroom and storage areas, formulating and using a predetermined waste disposal program before an experiment is performed, and having all laboratory instructors participate in a formal health safety program. (JN)