Toxicology, simplistically defined, is the field of study related to adverse impacts of organic and synthetic toxins on organisms and the environment. However, such definitions rarely touch upon the complexity and fascinating depth of this discipline. For those who are curious about or interested in pursuing an education in this realm, a more explicit exploration is essential. The following article provides further definition and elaboration.
A Scientific Evolution
As the National Institute for Health (NIH) notes, while toxicology began as a field devoted to the study of poisons and their impacts upon humans or species essential to human culture, it has since evolved. Today, this realm of multi-disciplinary science serves as an extension of public health. Rather than merely studying the impacts of poisons, and limiting scrutiny to the ostensibly human world, this science explores both organic and synthetic agents that adversely impact the environment, all life forms however simple, and how these substances or situations affect humans in any way.
That’s a tall order for any single discipline or scientist, which is why many will specialize their area of study to focus on a single agent or suite of toxins and their impacts. However, each scientist who pursues such studies will have a broad understanding of several more general disciplines, from chemistry and organic chemistry to biology, because one of the primary goals of the field is to identify at what point or saturation level a substance may become harmful.
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Places and People
Because it’s such a diverse field, a broad array of industries and government or private institutions employ toxicologists. The pharmaceutical industry is one of these. In this context, scientists determine whether new medications are safe enough to qualify for clinical trials, which side effects constitute a legitimate danger, and how drugs can be made safer for consumption without impacting their efficacy. Public health and environmental agencies also employ toxicologists to study the impacts of pollution or radiation on environments, organisms, and, most importantly, people.
According to the Toxicology Education Foundation, those who conduct focused research in this field provide a host of benefits for non-human organisms, people, and the environment. The scientific nature of the discipline provides a firm basis upon which governing bodies can produce policies and guidelines, regulatory standards, and ensure the health of the citizen body. But this science also serves individuals. A better understanding of how humans, wildlife, domestic animals, and the surrounding environment respond to toxins elevates the quality of life for all. Knowing how detergents, motor oil, fuels, solvents, pesticides and herbicides, and even sugar substitutes impact living things leads to more responsible uses and methods of disposal.
That may seem like quite enough diversity for any field. However, toxicologists also specialize further, examining the impacts of a suite of toxins on one organ or system. Similarly, they may choose to study the chemical and toxic elements themselves, which is known as mechanistic toxicology. Both of these specializations are also integral to the fields of public health, pharmacology, and government policy formation.
Given the breadth of diversification and application for the study of toxins and their impacts, it’s easy to understand why society needs such scientists. In the modern era, toxicology is more than a study of poisons; it can enable a better understanding of complex systems and potential contamination, provide guidelines for the creation of new medical therapies and help organizations and governing bodies to establish clear environmental standards for both industry and business.
