In 1992, the Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET) building opened on the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) campus. CROET was one of the first facilities in the world to combine the use of molecular and cell biology to study the adverse effects of chemicals on the body and, in particular, the nervous system.

In 1985, Oregon House Bill 2290 created a center for occupational disease research and provided continuous base funding from the State Workers’ Compensation Fund. Two years later, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education provided programmatic approval for the center.