Toxic

Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ such as the liver (hepatotoxicity). By extension, the word may be metaphorically used to describe toxic effects on larger and more complex groups, such as the family unit or society at large.

Types of Toxicity

Toxicity can be classified as either acute or chronic based on the number of exposures and the time it takes for toxic symptoms to develop. Acute toxicity involves harmful effects in an organism through a single or short-term exposure while chronic toxicity is the ability of a substance or mixture of substances to cause harmful effects over an extended period, usually upon repeated or continuous exposure, sometimes lasting for the entire life of the exposed organism.

Measurement of Toxicity

The degree of toxicity of a substance can be observed by its effect on an organism, tissue or cell. In general, the effects can be studied in two main types: LD50 and ED50. LD50 is the amount of a material, given all at once, which causes the death of 50% (one half) of a group of test animals while ED50 is the dose or amount of drug that produces a therapeutic response or desired effect in 50% of the subjects receiving it.

Toxic Substances

There are many types of toxic substances, but they can be generally divided into three main categories: chemical, biological, and physical. Chemical toxicants include inorganic substances such as lead, mercury, hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine gas, and organic compounds such as methyl alcohol, most medications, and poisons from living things.

Toxicity Management

The management of toxicity involves three steps: prevention, treatment, and decontamination. Prevention is by far the most important step. Treatment is the process of providing antidotes that act against specific toxins, such as antivenom against snake venom, or the use of chelators to reverse toxic effects. Decontamination involves removing the toxin from the body or preventing its absorption.

Toxic Resources
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