Toxicology
1
, What is Toxicology
•Toxicology is the study of poisons
•Poisons are chemical/physical agents that produce
adverse responses in biological organisms.
•Toxicology is concerned with the deleterious effects of
chemical and physical agents on all living systems.
• In the biomedical area, however, the toxicologist is
primary concerned with adverse effects in humans
resulting from exposure to chemicals and drugs and
others as well as the demonstration of safety or hazard
associated with their use.
2
,What is there that is not poison?
“Allthings are poison
and nothing without
poison. Solely, the
dose determines
that a thing is not
a poison”
PARACELSUS
(Philippus Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus
von Hohenheim,
1493 - 1541)
3
, Chemicals in Environment
•Humans live in chemical environment.
• Estimates indicate, that more than 60000 chemicals are in
common use and about 500 new chemicals are said to enter
the commercial market annually.
•Pollution has paralleled technologic advances.
•Industrialization and the creation of large urban centers have
led to the contamination of air, water, and soil.
• The principal causes of pollution are related to the
production and use of energy, the production and use of
industrial chemicals, and increased agricultural activity.
4
1
, What is Toxicology
•Toxicology is the study of poisons
•Poisons are chemical/physical agents that produce
adverse responses in biological organisms.
•Toxicology is concerned with the deleterious effects of
chemical and physical agents on all living systems.
• In the biomedical area, however, the toxicologist is
primary concerned with adverse effects in humans
resulting from exposure to chemicals and drugs and
others as well as the demonstration of safety or hazard
associated with their use.
2
,What is there that is not poison?
“Allthings are poison
and nothing without
poison. Solely, the
dose determines
that a thing is not
a poison”
PARACELSUS
(Philippus Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus
von Hohenheim,
1493 - 1541)
3
, Chemicals in Environment
•Humans live in chemical environment.
• Estimates indicate, that more than 60000 chemicals are in
common use and about 500 new chemicals are said to enter
the commercial market annually.
•Pollution has paralleled technologic advances.
•Industrialization and the creation of large urban centers have
led to the contamination of air, water, and soil.
• The principal causes of pollution are related to the
production and use of energy, the production and use of
industrial chemicals, and increased agricultural activity.
4
