Saturday, July 14, 2012




TOXICOLOGY



       In the environment, more likely in cities where there are many factories, cars and other transportation vehicles that cause pollution that every people inhale, of course, us people are aware of the pollution but we do not know what its effects is in our body system. Not only pollution that we encounter everyday but also different chemicals, pesticides and also the intake of drugs.







Here is a video showing how the body interacts with the toxins that enters our system. Enjoy watching :)

Note: The video is not complete because it is a 3 video series... Pertain to Youtube for continuation..

Here are the links for the continuation :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6xjaglwE-M&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er6ACh9zn7A&feature=relmfu

What is Toxicology?
  • Is the study of the harmful effects of chemical and physical agents on living organisms.
  • Examines adverse effects ranging from acute to long – term.
  • Is used to assess the probability of hazards caused by adverse effects.
  • Is used to predict effects on individuals, populations and ecosystems.



    In terms of Clinical Toxicology…
      • Diagnosis and treatment of poisoning.
      • Evaluation of methods of detection and intoxication, mechanism of action in humans and animals.


        Interdisciplinary field in Toxicology


        Descriptive Toxicology
        • The science of toxicity testing to provide information of safety evaluation and regulatory requirements.
        Mechanistic Toxicology
        •  Identification and understanding cellular, biochemical and molecular basis by which chemicals exert toxic effects
        Regulatory Toxicology
        •  Determination of risk based on descriptive and mechanistic studies and developing safety regulations.




        Xenobiotics...
          • Man – made substances.
          • Which is a foreign chemical substance metabolize by an organism and release in the environment where it causes different effects.
          • Xenobiotics are eliminated from the body through xenobiotic metabolism, in which the xenobiotic is deactivated and secreted away from the body. The liver is typically the primary focus of xenobiotic metabolism, and secretion can occur through urine, feces, breath, and sweat. Hepatic enzymes metabolize xenobiotics.



            Routes of Exposure...
            • Gastrointestinal
            • Respiratory
            • Dermal (skin)


            *Difference in the absorption of compounds because of physiological differences.



            Routes of Elimination...
              • Biliary
              • Renal
              • Fecal
              • Respiratory


                Sources of Environmental Chemicals...



                  Air Emissions

                  • Industrial processes
                  • Incinerators
                  • Gasoline and diesel exhaust
                  • Spraying of agricultural chemicals

                    Water Discharges
                    • Industrial effluents
                    • Sewage effluent



                    Non – Point Sources
                    • Surface run – off from roads and agricultural land
                    • Leachate from dump – sites
                    • Accidental spills


                    Household Chemicals


                    Toxic Agents


                    Biotoxin
                    • Poison that comes from plants and animals. (Ex: Abrin, Brevetoxin, Colchicine, etc.)



                    Golden Arrow Frogs

                    Blister agents/Vesicants
                    • Cause severe blister in the eyes, respiratory tract and on skin contact (Ex: Mustards, Phosgene oxime, Lewisites, etc.)


                    Phosgene oxime


                    Blood Agents
                    • Affects the body by the poison being absorbed into the blood (Ex: Arsine, Carbon Monoxide, Cyanide, etc.)





                    Caustic (Acids)
                    • Cause burns or corrode skin, eyes, and mucus membranes such as the lining of the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. (Ex: HCl)




                    Pulmonary Agents
                    • Cause severe irritation or sweating of the respiratory tract. (Ex: Ammonia, Bromine, Chlorine, etc.)



                    Incapacitating Agents
                    • Drugs that make people unable to think properly which can lead to uncontrollable bleeding. (Ex: 3 – Quinuclidinyl Benzilate, Fentanyls, opiods, etc.)



                    Opiods
                    Long – Acting Anticoagulants
                    • Prevent blood from clotting leading to uncontrollable bleeding. (Ex: Super Warfarin)





                    Metals
                    • Metallic poisons. (Ex: Arsenic, Barium, Mercury, etc.)


                    Mercury
                    Nerve Agents
                    •  Prevents the nervous system from working properly. (Ex: Sarin, Soman, Tabun, etc.)



                    Tabun

                    Organic Solvents
                    • Damage the tissues and dissolves fats and oils. (Ex: Benzene)



                    Benzene
                    Riot Control Agents/Tear Gas
                    • Irritating agents. (Bromobenzylcyanide, Chloropicrin, etc.)



                    Chloropicrin
                    Toxic Alcohols
                    •  Damage heart, kidneys and CNS. (Ex: Ethylene glycol)



                    Ethylene Glycol
                    Vomiting Agents
                    • Cause nausea and vomiting. (Ex: Adamsite)


                    Adamsite


                    For more information, just click the word Toxic Agents.












                    References:

                    Principles of Toxicology: The Study of Poisons. Andrew S. Kane. Environmental Health Program
                    nsdl.niscair.res.in/bitstream/.../Xenobiotics.pdf

                    Video Credit:

                    http://www.procidis.com/

                    Photo Credits:

                    animals.nationalgeographic.com
                    boatingsidekicks.com
                    survivaldisasterplan.com
                    suryafinechem.com
                    papsyblog.org
                    sanitarian.net
                    energyfanatics.com
                    snipersonlysnipers.eu
                    webmineral.com
                    halo.wikia.com
                    soundimaging.com
                    crisisofcivilization.com