In industrial toxicology, key terms include toxicant/toxin/poison (substances causing harm), toxicity (the biological effect of a substance), hazard (inherent potential for harm), exposure (contact with a toxic substance), and risk (probability of harm occurring).
Here's a more detailed breakdown of common industrial toxicology terminology:
Core Concepts:
Toxicant/Toxin/Poison:
These terms are often used interchangeably, referring to a substance that can cause harm to living organisms.
Toxicity:
The biological effect of a substance, or its capacity to cause harm.
Hazard:
The inherent property of a substance to cause adverse effects under specific conditions.
Exposure:
Contact with a toxic substance, which can occur through various routes (oral, inhalation, dermal, etc.).
Risk:
The probability of harm occurring as a result of exposure to a toxic substance.
Industrial Toxicology:
The study of the adverse effects of chemicals or physical agents on living organisms in industrial settings, focusing on worker safety and environmental protection.
Processes and Mechanisms:
Absorption: The process by which a substance enters the body through various routes.
Distribution: The movement of a substance throughout the body after absorption.
Metabolism: The body's processes for transforming a substance, either to make it more or less toxic, or to prepare it for excretion.
Elimination: The process by which the body removes a substance.
Biotransformation: The processes by which the body changes a substance for use, storage, or elimination.
ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion - the four main processes that determine the fate of a compound in an organism.
Types of Toxic Effects:
Acute Toxicity: Adverse effects that occur shortly after exposure to a toxic substance.
Chronic Toxicity: Adverse effects that develop over a prolonged period of exposure.
Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer.
Mutagen: A substance that can cause mutations in DNA.
Teratogen: A substance that can cause birth defects.
Target Organ: A specific organ or tissue that is particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of a substance.
Other Important Terms:
Dose: The amount of a substance to which an organism is exposed.
Threshold: The dose below which no adverse effects are observed.
LD50: The median lethal dose, the dose that is expected to cause death in 50% of a population.
NOAEL: No Observed Adverse Effect Level, the highest dose at which no adverse effects are observed.
LOAEL: Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level, the lowest dose at which adverse effects are observed.
ADI: Acceptable Daily Intake, the amount of a substance that a person can consume daily without significant risk.
TDI: Tolerable Daily Intake, a term synonymous with ADI.
Hazard Assessment: The process of identifying and characterizing the potential hazards of a substance.
Risk Assessment: The process of evaluating the likelihood and severity of adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazard.
Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL): The maximum permissible concentration of a substance in the workplace.
Occupational Health: The field of medicine and hygiene that deals with the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases and injuries
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