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Exposure to certain chemicals can cause acute or long-term adverse health effects. Chemical hazards are usually classified separately from biological hazards (biohazards). Chemical hazards are classified into groups that include asphyxiants , corrosives , irritants , sensitizers , carcinogens , mutagens , teratogens , reactants , and flammables ...
Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. [1] 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).
A rather informal terminology of individual toxins relates them to the anatomical location where their effects are most notable: Genitotoxin, damages the urinary organs or the reproductive organs; Hemotoxin, causes destruction of red blood cells ; Phototoxin, causes dangerous photosensitivity; Hepatotoxins affect the liver
Because the available scientific studies provide limited information regarding toxicity and health effects to humans, the increase in use of these chemicals and their effects on human health are ...
By contrast, a toxin is a poison produced naturally by an organism (e.g. plant, animal, insect). [2] The 2011 book A Textbook of Modern Toxicology states, "A toxin is a toxicant that is produced by a living organism and is not used as a synonym for toxicant—all toxins are toxicants, but not all toxicants are toxins.
A food contaminant is a harmful chemical or microorganism present in food, which can cause illness to the consumer.. Contaminated food . The impact of chemical contaminants on consumer health and well-being is often apparent only after many years of processing and prolonged exposure at low levels (e.g., cancer).
Poisoning is the harmful effect which occurs when toxic substances are introduced into the body. [1] The term "poisoning" is a derivative of poison, a term describing any chemical substance that may harm or kill a living organism upon ingestion. [2] Poisoning can be brought on by swallowing, inhaling, injecting or absorbing toxins through the skin.
A toxicologist working in a lab (United States, 2008)Toxicology is a scientific discipline, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, that involves the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms [1] and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants.