toxicological

Toxicological is an adjective relating to toxicology, the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical substances, physical agents, and biological factors on living organisms. The term derives from the Greek toxikon (poison) and logia (study). In practice, toxicological information underpins safety assessment and regulatory decision-making. Toxicology covers hazard identification, dose–response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Investigations may include in vitro assays, animal studies, and computational modeling (in silico) as well as systematic reviews of existing literature. Common toxicological endpoints include acute and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and organ-specific effects. Data from these studies are used to derive reference doses, permissible daily intakes, and safety margins for humans and wildlife.

Toxicological considerations are central to pharmaceutical development, chemical regulation, environmental protection, and consumer product safety. They inform regulatory requirements, such as chemical registration, product labeling, and permissible exposure limits. Reports and databases labeled as toxicological profiles or toxicology data compilations summarize the available evidence and support risk assessment. Ethical standards, such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and internationally harmonized guidelines (OECD), govern how toxicological studies are conducted and reported.