Basic Traditional Toxicology
A nontechnical popularization of traditional toxicology is available in the book the Dose Makes the Poison.
Factors that influence chemical toxicity:
- Dosage
- Both large single exposures (acute) and continuous small exposures (chronic) are studied.
- Route of exposure
- Ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption
- Other factors
- Species
- Age
- Sex
- Health
- Environment
- Individual characteristics
Foods safe for humans are not necessarily safe for pets. A young healthy pregnant woman in a supportive environment has a different set of chemical sensitivities than an aged homeless male drug addict. Chemicals safe to drink may not be safe to inject. Eating a peanut is life-threatening for some.
The classic experimental tool of toxicology is animal testing. Alternative tests have been and are being developed. Separate test protocols are used for acute and chronic toxicity, irritation, sensitization (allergies), reproductive toxicity and carcinogenesis (cancer).
Few antidotes to poisons exist. Treatment usually consists of removing the poison, repairing damage and providing life support.
The testing of one chemical for its cancer-causing properties took 5 years, cost more than $6.5 million in 1980 and utilized 24,000 mice.
The field is under pressure to simultaneously eliminate the human risks of chemical exposure while reducing time, cost and animal testing.
Read more about this topic: Toxicology
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