Toxicology

What is toxicology?

Toxicology is a field of science that helps us understand the harmful effects that chemicals, substances, or situations, can have on people, animals, and the environment. Some refer to toxicology as the “Science of Safety” because as a field it has evolved from a science focused on studying poisons and adverse effects of chemical exposures, to a science devoted to studying safety.

Toxicology uses the power of science to predict what, and how chemicals may cause harm and then shares that information to protect public health. When talking about toxicology it is important to keep a few things in mind.

• Not everyone will respond to substances in exactly the same way. Many factors, including the amount and duration of exposure, an individual’s susceptibility to a substance, and a person’s age, all impact whether a person will develop a disease or not. There are times in a person’s life when he or she may be more susceptible to chemicals. These times may include periods of active cell differentiation and growth in the womb and in early childhood, as well as during adolescence, when the brain is continuing to develop. Just because someone is exposed to a harmful substance, does not always mean they will get sick from it.
• The dose of the chemical or substance a person is exposed to is another important factor in toxicology. All substances have the potential to be toxic if given to humans and other living organisms in certain conditions and at certain doses or levels. For example, one or two aspirins may be good for you, but taking a bottle of aspirin may be harmful. The field of toxicology tries to understand and identify at what dose and through what exposure a substance poses a hazard.
• Toxicologists also realize that even low-dose exposures that may seem insignificant may have biological meaning or lead to an adverse health effect if the exposure is continuous or happens during a critical window of development.

What is a toxicologist?

A toxicologist is a scientist who has a strong understanding of many scientific disciplines, such as biology and chemistry, and typically works with chemicals and other substances to determine if they are toxic or harmful to humans and other living organisms or the environment.

Just like there are different types of doctors, there are different types of toxicology specialists.

A toxicologist working in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, might work to make sure that potential new drugs are safe for testing in clinical trials for humans.

A toxicologist working at the National Toxicology Program (NTP) might be involved in designing and overseeing studies that create a controlled environment that replicates exposures that humans may encounter. NTP toxicologists work to identify hazards from the chemicals or substances they are studying.

What does it mean when toxicologists have D.A.B. T. after their names?

DABT stands for Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT). This means that the person has passed several tests and is certified by one of the world’s largest organizations in general toxicology, the American Board of Toxicology (ABT). The Board works to identify, maintain, and to foster a standard for professional competency in the field of toxicology.

How does the science of toxicology improve people’s lives?

Toxicology provides critical information and knowledge that can be used by regulatory agencies, decision makers, and others to put programs and policies in place to limit our exposures to these substances, thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood that a disease or other negative health outcome would occur. For example, the state of California used NTP findings to establish the first in the nation drinking water standard for Hexavalent Chromium. This standard will help reduce people’s exposure to this metallic element. Other benefits of toxicology include:

• Government agencies have a sound scientific basis for establishing regulations and policies aimed at protecting and preserving human health and the environment.
• Companies, such as pharmaceutical and chemical, are able to develop safer products, drugs, and workplaces.
• Consumers have access to information that helps them make decisions about their own health and prevent diseases.