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:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/agentlistchem-category.asp

Principles of Toxicology: The Study of Poisons. Andrew S. Kane. Environmental Health Program

http://www.iscid.org/encyclopedia/Xenobiotics

nsdl.niscair.res.in/bitstream/.../Xenobiotics.pdf

http://zoology.muohio.edu/oris/ZOO462/notes/03_462.html

http://www.procidis.com/

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