Chapter 2: Toxicology

Question 1

Fundamental Principle of Toxicology

Answer 1

There are no harmless substances, only harmless ways of using substances

Question 2

Toxicants

Answer 2

• Can be physical or chemical
• Example fiber toxicant = asbestos

Question 3

Toxicity

Answer 3

The degree to which a substance/toxicant can harm humans or animals

*Can not be reduced

Question 4

Toxic Hazard

Answer 4

Likelihood of damage to biological organisms based on the conditions of the exposure

*Can be reduced

Question 5

How do toxicants enter biological organisms?

Answer 5

Ingestion, Inhalation, Injection, Dermal absorption

Question 6

Modes of Entry/Methods of Control

Answer 6

• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
• Skin
• Respiratory System

Question 7

Where do toxicants go?

Answer 7

Excretion, detoxification, storage

Question 8

What do toxicological studies quanitfy?

Answer 8

Effects of suspected toxicant on an organism usually animals which is then extrapolated to humans

Measure response as a function of dose

Question 9

Factors defined for toxicological testing

Answer 9

• form of toxicant
• target/test organism
• effect/response mechanism
• dose range
• period of test

Question 10

What is a response?

Answer 10

Lethality, severity of irritation, blood pressure

Question 11

Dose

Answer 11

exposure concentration and duration