toksik

Toksik is a term used in Indonesian, Malay, Turkish and other languages to describe something harmful or poisonous to living organisms. As an adjective, it commonly refers to substances that can cause injury, illness, or death, or to effects that are harmful to health or the environment.

Etimology and usage: The word toxic originates from Greek toxikon, via Latin toxicus, and many languages treat toksik as a direct loanword from English “toxic.” In scientific use, toksik characterizes the capacity of a substance to produce adverse biological effects, from irritation to organ damage or systemic illness.

In toxicology, the study of toxic substances and their effects, researchers examine dose–response relationships, exposure routes (inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact), and duration of exposure. Key concepts include acute toxicity (short-term effects), chronic toxicity (long-term exposure), and endpoints such as organ damage, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity. Methods range from in vivo studies to in vitro assays, and risk assessment weighs exposure against toxicity to protect health.

Common toxic substances include heavy metals like lead and mercury, pesticides such as organophosphates, industrial solvents, and natural toxins produced by organisms. Toxic effects depend on dose, chemical form, the organism exposed, and environmental factors such as temperature and concurrent exposures.

Regulatory frameworks classify and label hazardous substances to protect health and the environment. International systems, such as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), guide hazard communication and safety measures in workplaces and consumer products, with policies aimed at reducing exposure and enabling risk management.