Topic 1 Introduction To Toxicology

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Descriptive Toxicology

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concerned with toxicity testing of drugs and chemicals. It involves investigating whether a substance is toxic and the level of toxicity.

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Mechanistic Toxicology

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is the scientific investigation of how particular chemicals cause their toxic effects at the biochemical and system level.

e.g. it might identify a particular interaction of the chemical with a neurotransmitter receptor site that leads to a neurotoxic effect.

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Regulatory Toxicology

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is the assessment of therapeutic and consumer chemicals by regulatory bodies. To set standards for the use, transport and storage of chemicals based on their hazards, including their toxicity

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Clinical Toxicology

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is conducted in support of medical investigations or procedures.

e.g. analyse body fluids such as blood or urine to see if a toxic substance is present and in what concentrations so that a medical practitioner may then decide on appropriate treatments

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Forensic Toxicology

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is the investigation of toxic events in legal investigations including possible crimes, accidents and suicide.

involved with identifying poisonous substances in body fluids, or in the identification of substances found at an incident scene with the objective of isolating evidence to support an investigation or prosecution.

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Clinical Toxicologist

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Was the victim poisoned? If the victim was poisoned, what was the poison? What treatment should be used to get the victim back to health? What is the prognosis?

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Forensic Toxicologist

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Is there a poison present that could have caused the injury or death? Is there evidence of criminal activity?

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Industrial Toxicologist

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Could the air concentration of exhaust gases have exceeded safe limits? Are there special precautions, such as exhaust ventilation that should be taken during garage work?

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Regulatory Toxicologist

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Should exposure standards (limits) be reduced to protect garage workers in the future?

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Toxicology

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the study of the 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.