Toxicology is related to the study of-

Key Points

• Toxicology is the scientific study of adverse effects that occur in living organisms due to chemicals.
• It involves observing and reporting symptoms, mechanisms, detection, and treatments of toxic substances, particularly the poisoning of humans.
• Toxicology is a multidisciplinary field, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine.
• The primary focus of toxicology is on poisons, which can include a wide range of substances such as drugs, environmental pollutants, and industrial chemicals.

Additional Information

• The term toxicology is derived from the Greek words "toxikos," meaning poison, and "logos," meaning study.
• One of the key principles in toxicology is the dose-response relationship, which states that the effects of a toxin are related to the dose received.
• Modern toxicology also includes the study of the effects of new synthetic chemicals and the development of treatments to counteract their effects.
• Famous toxicologists include Paracelsus, who is often considered the father of toxicology, and Alice Hamilton, a pioneer in occupational health.