Objective The regional distribution, functions, funding, technical capabilities, work performance, existing problems and needs of professional institutes of prevention and control of chemical toxicity in China were investigated to provide the basis for decision-making to improve the construction of such institutes.

Methods The nationwide professional institutes of prevention and control of chemical toxicity were surveyed with questionnaire and the staff number, the occupied area, funding, scientific research capacity, the type and number of equipment in different institutes were analyzed and assessed.

Results Totally, 51 institutes in 23 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions) were investigated. Among them, there were 9 governmental institutions, 21 state-owned enterprises, 8 institutions established within colleges and/or universities, 13 private enterprises and/or other owners. Totally 42 institutions (82.4%) had the qualification of consulting, design, construction, installation and testing, but there was significant difference in the rate of qualification of consultation and design in all kinds of institutions(P < 0.05). Totally 3 168 professionals were employed and 79 laboratories were set up in these institutes. The professional distribution of antivirus technicians and the setting rate of toxicity research rooms were significantly different among different types of institutions (P < 0.05). There were 3 871 sets of equipment used for scientific research and/or testing, with a total equipment assets of 321.73 million yuan and there was still a significant difference among different-typed institutions(P < 0.01). Only several institutes equipped 49 set of experimental equipment used for research on control of chemical toxicity, accounting for 1.3% of all equipment. During 2015-2019, these institutes carried out 345 projects on hazard control and testing items of 23 867. From 2017 to 2019, the institutions received support of national fiscal funds of 147.49 million yuan and provincial fiscal funds of 292.87 million yuan, with a statistically significant difference among different-typed institutions(P < 0.05). During the 13th Five Year Plan Period, all institutions received research funding of 61.34 million yuan from various sources, and led or participated in 183 research projects.

Conclusion The development of professional institutes of prevention and control of chemical toxicity was unbalanced. While strengthening its own construction, it needs the support of the government, including manpower, material resources, scientific research capacity, technical support capacity, etc.