Toxicology

Abstract

Toxicology is a multidisciplinary field of study of the physiologic, pathological, biochemical, and molecular changes that chemical, physical, and biological agents initiate in organisms after having interacted with some extra‐ or intracellular molecular entity. Toxicologists perform two basic functions: ( 1 ) examine and characterize the specific set of adverse effects a chemical agent is capable of causing—the hazard identification/characterization function; and ( 2 ) use dose–response relationships to assess the probability these toxicities will occur under specific conditions of exposure—the safety or risk assessment function. In this article, classification and the nature of toxic effects and factors influencing toxicity are presented. General toxicology studies and testing procedures as well as dose–response relationships and risk assessment are discussed. Brief definitions for keys terms commonly used in the field of toxicology are provided.