Toxicology for the Non-Toxicologist

Introduction to toxicology

• What is toxicology and why is it important?

Back to basics

• Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems
• Homeostasis, adaptation and cell injury
• Adverse effects
• Local and systemic effects

Exposure and dose

• Risk, hazard and exposure - how these differ
• The dose makes the poison - thresholded and non thresholded effects

Dose response curves

• Dose response and dose-effect relationships & curves
• Internal and external/exposure dose
• NOAEL, LOAEL

How chemicals cause harm - Local effects

• Irritation and corrosion (skin, eyes, respiratory tract)

How chemicals cause harm - Systemic effects

• Target organ toxicity, reproductive and developmental effects, carcinogenicity, genetic toxicology, Skin and respiratory sensitisers (chemical allergies).

Basic Toxicokinetics

• Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
• How knowledge of toxicokinetics can help in understanding species differences in response to chemical exposure

Assessment of toxicity

• Use of animal and non-animal alternatives
• In vitro, in vivo, ex vivo and in silico methods

Introduction to human health risk assessment

• How toxicology and an understanding of exposure is used in risk assessment work