toxicologii

Toxicology is the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms, including humans. It examines how substances cause harm, the dose and duration required for effects to appear, and how exposure occurs. The field integrates biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and ecology to understand mechanisms of toxicity, routes of exposure, and factors that influence risk.

Toxicology is broadly divided into several subfields. Toxicokinetics describes how a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. Toxicodynamics focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which toxins produce effects. Clinical toxicology deals with medical diagnosis and management of poisoned patients. Environmental toxicology studies impacts on ecosystems and wildlife. Occupational and regulatory toxicology address safety standards for workplaces and public health, while forensic toxicology supports legal investigations by detecting and interpreting toxic substances in biological samples. Subdisciplines include neurotoxicology, cardiotoxicology, immunotoxicology, developmental and reproductive toxicology, and ecotoxicology.

Historically, toxicology developed from the observation and study of poisons, with the insight that “the dose makes the poison.” Modern toxicology relies on experimental studies, observational data, and computational methods. Methods include in vivo animal studies, in vitro assays, high-throughput screening, biomonitoring, and in silico modeling to predict toxicity and inform risk assessment. Risk assessment typically involves hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose–response assessment, and risk characterization to support regulatory decisions and public safety.

Toxicology remains a dynamic field, crucial for drug development, chemical safety, environmental protection, and clinical and forensic applications.