Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicology combines biology, chemistry, nursing, pharmacology, and medicine. It includes detection and reporting of symptoms and treatment of the problem.
The Toxicology journal study involves environmental agents and chemical compounds found in nature and pharmaceutical compounds. These compounds are synthesized for medical use by humans. These compounds may produce toxic reactions in living organisms like hindering growth, disease and in some cases even death.
The amount of the substance plays an important role in toxicology because it has an effect on the symptoms experienced by a person. The amount of the substance also helps identify the toxicity of the chemical. Most chemicals have the potential to be toxic if taken in excess amounts.
A common term in toxicology is LD50. It indicates that it kills 50% of the experimental population. Mostly in such experimental trials, rats are used to determine toxicity.
Greater the exposure to a chemical, higher the risk of toxicity. This relationship has been challenged. So, the relationship might not be straightforward.
There are various branches in toxicology. They focus on specific aspects of toxicology. They are:
Toxicogenomics
Chemical toxicology
Aquatic toxicology
Clinical toxicology
Forensic toxicology
Occupational toxicology
Regulatory toxicology
Medical toxicology
Environmental toxicology
Ecotoxicology
Toxicogenomics deals with the study of gene activity with a particular cell or tissue of a living organism.
Chemical toxicology is one of the branches of toxicology. It focuses on the structure of chemical substances and how it affects living organisms.
Aquatic toxicology combines the fields of toxicology, aquatic ecosystem, and aquatic chemistry.
Clinical toxicology studies the adverse effects of drugs that are used to treat and prevent diseases.
Forensic toxicology deals with the study of poisoning and drug overuse.
Occupational toxicology studies the adverse effects of a chemical substance that may be encountered by people during their working period.
Toxicology and pharmacology both study the understanding of chemical properties of a substance and their effects on the body. But, they do differ in certain areas. Pharmacology basically studies how a chemical substance can be used most effectively as a medicine. While toxicology studies the adverse effects of a chemical substance on living organisms.
Who is a toxicologist?
A toxicologist is someone who has trained in toxicology. A toxicologist studies the adverse impacts of a chemical substance on living organisms and the environment. A toxicologist can specialize in a specific field of toxicology.
Toxicologists conduct experiments on animals. They then collect the data and analyze it. Toxicologists who have Ph.D. interpret the results of the experiment and conduct assessments. They create reports for organizations and regulatory authorities.
These days, chemicals have become an important part of our life. Chemicals are used in various aspects like sustaining human developments, curing diseases and agricultural purposes. Therefore, a Case Reports Journal states that the risk of getting poisoned has increased.
As there is an increase in the number of cases of chemical poisoning and chemical accidents, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid such fatal accidents. A Biomedical Research Journal says that taking Epidemiology information is important in preventing and treating such accidents.
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