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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 or procedures. Clinical Toxicologists may measure body fluids to see if toxic chemicals were present and what concentrations to determine treatment and prognosis. They also identify potential causes if the poisoning. 

Forensic toxicology

Forensic Toxicologists ask the question, was there poison present? They are involved in investigations into crimes, accidents, and suicide. 

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Key concepts

  • Toxicology can involve investigation of the source of a toxic substance, not just the effects.
  • Forensic toxicology is about finding evidence that could support or refute a possible cause of poisoning in support of a criminal investigation.
  • Bhopal incident was such as the important disaster that you should remember the name of the Indian City (Bhopal) where this occurred, and that it involved the union carbide pesticide plant. Tons of methyl isocyanate gas (CH3-NCO) was released and thousands of people died. Representing industrial toxicology and occupational hygienists. 
  • Toxicology is the study of harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms. It can be considered to be a branch of pharmacology which deals with the origin, nature, chemistry and adverse effects of chemical substances. 
  • All substances are potentially poisonous even though those that are essential to the maintenance of life e.g. oxygen, water.
  • It is not scientifically valid to consider some substances to be poisons and others as harmless as harm can be caused by all substances if the dose is sufficient. 
  • Toxicology may be grouped into five specialty fields, descriptive, mechanistic, clinical, forensic and regulatory. 

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