Toxicology & You – 4/1/04
Toxicology & YouChapter 1
(an introduction to toxicology)
A Small Dose of ™ Toxicology
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
“It is not the truth that makes you free. It is your possession of the power to discover the truth. Our dilemma is that we do not know how to provide that power.”
Richard Lewontin (New York Review of Books, Jan 7, 1997)
Power To Discover The Truth
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
• Hong Kong• Princess Diana• Ambassador to Mexico• $100 Billion - $65 Billion• Food, noise• Dust• Lack of Sleep• 11,000 Children• 689,000 Children
What do these have in common?
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
The study of poisonsor
the adverse effects of chemical and physical agents on living
organisms.
Toxicology Definitions
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
• Home environment• Current events• Workplace• School• Government Decisions• Global and local environment
Toxicology Effects
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Key Words
Risk =
Hazard X Exposure
Dose / Response
Individual Sensitivity
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
399 BC Death of Socrates by HemlockSocrates was charged with religious heresy and corrupting the morals of local youth.
The active chemical used was the alkaloid coniine which, when ingested causes paralysis, convulsions and potentially death.
Ancient Awareness
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
From Romeo and Juliet - act 5Come bitter pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!
Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
Shakespeare
Historical Awareness
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Opium War of 1839-42Great Britain had a monopoly on the sale of opium and wanted China to increase their purchase. A war was fought over opium sale with England getting control of Hong Kong.
Consider our societies current “wars on drugs”.
Historical Events
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
ObviousDeath, Cancer, Acid burn, Caffeine jitters
Subtle or DelayedDecreases in learning and memory (lead), Increased likelihood of cancer associated with aging.
Adverse Effects
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Chemical agentsNatural or manufactured
Bacteria, plants and animals produce toxins (caffeine)
Manufactured chemicals (pesticides)
Physical agentsTemperature (damage fish)
Sound (damage hearing)
Chemical or Physical Agents
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
“Conditions that ensure that all living things have the best opportunity to reach and maintain their full genetic potential.”
Steven G. Gilbert, 1999
Environmental Health
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Childhood lead exposure
Prenatal alcohol exposure
Mercury in gold mining
Methyl mercury in food supply
DDT use
Examples
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Effects of Prenatal Alcohol
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology FAS Child
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Mouse – Scanning EM
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04
Lead
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Lead In Homes
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Lead History
Greek 2nd BC
Lead Makes the Mind Give Way
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Lead in Families
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Recycling Lead
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
40
30
25
20
15
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Blo
od
Lea
d (
ug
/dl)
CDC1973
CDC1975
CDC1985
WHO1986
EPA1986
CDC1990
Agency and Year
Acceptable Childhood Blood Lead Levels
CDC Blood Lead Levels
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Mercury
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Polluting with HG
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
MeHg kid
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Adult MeHg
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
FDA – Food and Drug Administration -
(www.fda.gov)
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency-
(www.epa.gov)
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration – (www.osha.gov)
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – (www.cdc.gov)
CPSC - Consumer Product Safety Commission - (www.cpsc.gov)
Toxicology and Government
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
A Small Dose of ™ Alcohol
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Additional Information
References• Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology, The Basic
Science of Poisons
Web Sites• Society of Toxicology - www.toxicology.org• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) –
www.epa.gov
Toxicology & You – 4/1/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology
Authorship Information
For Additional Information ContactSteven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT
E-mail: [email protected]: www.asmalldoseof.org
This presentation is supplement to “A Small Dose of Toxicology”