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Comprehensive Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Toxicology

Holden Bell

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Toxicology is the scientific discipline that deals with the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms. It is a rapidly evolving field, with new advances in technology and research leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity. This glossary provides definitions for some of the most commonly used terms in toxicology.

A

Acute toxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance that occur after a single exposure or within a short period of time (usually less than 24 hours).

Comprehensive Glossary of Terms Used in Toxicology

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Chronic toxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance that occur after repeated or prolonged exposure over a long period of time (usually more than 24 hours).

Carcinogenicity: The ability of a chemical substance to cause cancer.

Developmental toxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance on the developing fetus or embryo.

Dose-response relationship: The relationship between the dose of a chemical substance and the severity of its adverse effects.

E

Ecotoxicology: The study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on the environment.

Environmental fate: The processes that determine the distribution, transformation, and degradation of a chemical substance in the environment.

Exposure assessment: The process of determining the amount of a chemical substance to which an individual or population is exposed.

G

Genotoxicity: The ability of a chemical substance to damage DNA.

Hazard assessment: The process of evaluating the potential adverse effects of a chemical substance on human health or the environment.

Immunotoxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance on the immune system.

M

Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur in the body to transform a chemical substance into its metabolites.

Mutagenesis: The ability of a chemical substance to cause mutations, which are changes in DNA.

P

Pharmacokinetics: The study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of a chemical substance in the body.

Physicochemical properties: The physical and chemical properties of a chemical substance, such as its solubility, volatility, and reactivity.

Risk assessment: The process of estimating the likelihood and severity of adverse effects of a chemical substance on human health or the environment.

S

Subacute toxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance that occur after repeated exposure over a short period of time (usually between 24 hours and 30 days).

Subchronic toxicity: The adverse effects of a chemical substance that occur after repeated exposure over a longer period of time (usually between 30 days and 90 days).

Synergism: The interaction between two or more chemical substances that results in an effect that is greater than the sum of the effects of each individual substance.