Skip to main content

Don't struggle financially

Don't struggle financially
Start investing your small change today

Introduction to Toxicology

Objectives

  • Appreciate that all substances are potentially toxic
  • Have a basic understanding of the scope of toxicology
  • Appreciate that many scientists, technicians, clinicians, and regulators are concerned with toxic chemicals
  • Understand there are different fields and applications of toxicology and different aims and approaches when dealing with toxic chemicals and effects

The scope of toxicology

Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicology is a branch of pharmacology, dealing with the origin, nature, chemistry and adverse effects of chemical substances. 
Toxicology is the study of harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms, including the origin, nature, chemistry & adverse effects of chemical substances
Potentially toxic substances include:
  • Food
  • Drinking water
  • Air
  • Medications
  • Cosmetics
  • Bites and Stings
  • Venomous animals and plants 

 Today, much knowledge of toxic substances comes from lab-based experiments using animals, tissue cultures or bacteria and human data from accidental poisonings, drug use and industrial use of chemicals. Workers exposed to chemicals include pesticides, solvents, pigments, mineral dust etc.
Occupational dematoses, ailment and respiratory diseases such as silicosis and asbestosis still remain serious problems today. 
The main aim of toxicology is to assess the toxicity of chemicals so they can be used in appropriate and safe ways. All chemicals, whether natural or synthetic are potentially toxic if the dose is sufficient.

Just about everything is toxic if the dose is sufficient.

All the following toxins are poisonous:
  • Cyanide
  • Arsenic
  • Common salt
  • Water (intoxications)
  • Oxygen (Increased free radicals leading to cellular damage)
Water in excessive amounts can be toxic (even fatal) because if it disturbs the electrolyte balance and causes osmotic pressure changes.

Water intoxication symptoms include:
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Changes in mental state
  • Psychotic symptoms
  • Hypotremia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Disturbance in electrolyte balance
  • Decreased sodium concentration
  • Eventual death
Brain effects caused by movement of water into brain cells in response to extracellular osmolarity. Symptoms become apparent when sodium levels fall below 120mmol/L. Severe symptoms occur when very low sodium concentrations of 90-105mmol/L



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Start Investing Your Loose Change

Popular posts from this blog

Is it Bird Flu or Human Flu?

Assignment title: Is it Bird Flu or Human Flu Subject: Medical Microbiology and Immunology Mark:  8/10 lost two points for needing more specific information and missing the websites on the reference list. Criteria Identify the pathogen(s) involved.  Outline the type of immune defenses that might be operating. How does the pathogen enter the body, cause disease and how is it transmitted? What is the outcome of the infection? How is the disease diagnosed? What strategies exist (if any) to control the infection? References Is it Bird Flu or Human Flu? The Enemy - Microbes Avian Influenza A, also known as H5N1 or Bird Flu, is an enzootic member of the orthomyxoviridae family, representing an enveloped, ssRNA viral molecule, with surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface glycoproteins. (1) The Defence - Host Disease H5N1 is more prevalent in birds in China, Asia, Europe and Africa, however, mutations have crossed the animal to human barrier causing destruc
Post a Comment
Read more

Introduction to Biostatistics

What are the statistics?  Statistics is the science and art of making sense of data. Biostatistics compromise of statistical techniques which are most useful for health-related data. Biostatics can be regarded as the "tool kit" which is the basis for understanding and assessing the evidence for medical treatments and health interventions. Statistics is a scientific discipline consisting of procedures for collecting, describing, analysing and interpreting numerical data. Biostatistics compromises of the statistical techniques most appropriate to health-related data. "Scientific discipline" "numerical data" as opposed to qualitative data. It is possible, though perhaps not very useful, to study statistics simply as part of mathematics wiuth no concern for its application at all" "Statistics may be discussed without appearing to use any mathematics at all" - Martin Bland - the leading Biostatistics Teacher.  Statistics are a brand of
Post a Comment
Read more

Discipline of Toxicology and Specialty Fields

Many of the different professional groups may be involved in dealing with toxic chemicals including chemists, environmental scientists, food scientists, forensic scientists, clinical scientists, and regulators. Depending on their professional roles, they may take different approaches to dealing with toxic chemicals and their effects.  5 Types of Toxicology Specialty Fields Descriptive toxicology Involves toxicity testing of drugs and chemicals. Decides if a substance is toxic and the level of toxicity. Mechanistic toxicology Involves how toxic chemicals cause toxicity effects at the biochemical and system level e.g. neurochemical site blockage Regulatory toxicology Assessment of therapeutic and consumer chemicals by regulatory bodies. Various federal government agencies set standards for use, transport, and storage.  Clinical toxicology Clinical Toxicologists ask the question, what was the victim poisoned with? Their conduct is in support of medical investigations
Post a Comment
Read more