UNIT 5: INTRODUCTION TO TOXICOLOGY Flashcards
The branch of pharmacology that concerns the study, regulation, and treatment of adverse effects in humans resulting from exposure to chemicals encountered at work or in the general environment.
Toxicology
How do we get exposed to such chemicals?
- Environment (air, water, soil, food)
- Occupational
- Most common chemicals (used in households, personal care, consumer products)
What variables affect the extent of the effect of the toxic chemicals?
- Dose
- Duration of exposure
- Vulnerability of individuals
What are the most commonly affected system/organs of these chemicals?
- Central nervous system
- Liver (hepatotoxicity), kidneys (nephrotoxicity)
- Reproductive system (teratogenic effects)
Deals with the effects of chemicals in the workplace.
Occupational Toxicology
The amount of exposure to a given agent that is deemed safe for a stated time period.
Threshold limit value
Deals with the deleterious impact of chemical pollutants in the environment, on living organisms, or to the ecosystem itself.
Ecotoxicology
Deals with the effects of agents found in the environment.
Environmental toxicology
The ability of a chemical agent to cause injury/disease in a given situation or setting.
Hazard
Expected frequency of the occurrence of an undesirable effect; the likelihood of harm taking place.
Risk
Hazard + exposure equates to?
Risk
What is the route of exposure in industrial settings?
Inhalational > Transdermal > Oral
What is the route of exposure for water & soil pollutants?
Inhalational > Ingestion > Transdermal
Exposure to a toxic substance that is absorbed by the target human or animal.
Dose
Single/multiple exposure over a brief period of time.
Acute exposure
Single/multiple exposure over a longer period of time
Chronic exposure
What is the Hierarchy of Controls?
In order: (Most to least effective)
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls
PPEs
The increasing concentration of a substance in the environment that leads to accumulation in biologic tissues.
Bioaccumulation
The concentration of the contaminant is magnified hundreds or thousands of times as the contaminant passes up the food chain.
Biomagnification
An odorless, colorless, non-irritating gas which is a byproduct of incomplete combustion
Air Pollutants
Carbon monoxide
What is the mechanism of action of CO?
Air Pollutants
Combining tightly but reversibly on oxygen-binding sites of hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin.
True or False:
Oxygen has a higher affinity to hemoglobin than CO
Air Pollutants
False; CO has a higher affinity (220x higher affinity)
What is the primary clinical effect of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Air Pollutants
Tissue hypoxia
What clinical effect/s occurs when approximately 40% of hemoglobin has been converted to carboxyhemoglobin?
Air Pollutants
Collapse & syncope
Prolonged hypoxia due to carbon monoxide poisoning causes what?
Air Pollutants
Irreversible damage to the brain and myocardium?
**True or False: **
Carbon monoxide have potential teratogenic effects
Air Pollutants
True
Exposure at critical fetal developmental periods: fetal death/serious and irreversible but survivable birth defects
What is/are the recommended treatment options for carbon monoxide poisoning?
Air Pollutants
Supportive treatment and oxygenation
Supportive treatment - removal from source
__________ __________ accelerates the clearance of carbon monoxide
Air Pollutants
Hyperbaric oxygen
A colorless, irritant gas formed from the combustion of fossil fuels
Air Pollutants
Sulfur dioxide
What is the mechanism of action of sulfur dioxide?
Air Pollutants
Forms sulfurous acid on contact with moist mucous membranes
What is/are the primary sign of exposure for sulfur dioxide?
Air Pollutants
Conjunctival & bronchial irritation
What are the primary clinical effects of sulfur dioxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
- eyes, nose, throat irritation
- reflex bronchroconstriction
- increased bronchial secretions
What are the primary treatment options for sulfur dioxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
Supportive, non-specific
Non-specfic treatment includes: oxygenation, bronchodilation, use of mucolytics
A brownish, irritant gas associated with fires and silage on farms
Air Pollutants
Nitrogen oxides
What is the mechanism of action for nitrogen oxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
- acts as a deep lung irritant, affecting the alveoli,
- damaging the lung infrastructure producing the surfactant
- dissolving the surfactant itself
What is/are the primary clinical effect/s for nitrogen oxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
Deep lung irritiation and pulmonary edema
Other names for nitrogen oxide exposure
Air Pollutants
- Silo-Filler’s Disease
- Non-allergic Asthma
- Twitchy-airway Disease
What is the chronic effect for nitrogen oxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
Emphysematous changes
What is the treatment for nitrogen oxide exposure?
Air Pollutants
Supportive, non-specifc
Measures to reduce inflammation and pulmonary edema are important
A bluish, irritant gas, found in air & water purification devices, eletrical fields and in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Air Pollutants
Ozone
What is the mechanism of action for ozone exposure?
Air Pollutants
- Acts as an irritant of mucous memranes
- Formation of reactive free radicals
What are the primary clinical effects of ozone exposure?
Air Pollutants
- Irritation and dryness of mucous membranes
- Decrease in pulmonary compliance
What are the acute clinical effects of ozone exposure?
Air Pollutants
- Substernal pain
- Acure respiratory distress (ARDS)
What are the treatment options for ozone exposure?
Air Pollutants
Supportive, non-specific
Measures to reduce inflammation and pulmonary edema are important
What are the two types of solvents encountered that may cause toxicity?
Solvents
- Halogenated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
- Aromatic Hydrocarbons