Chemical toxicology studies the effects of chemicals on living organisms, including medicine, agriculture, and wildlife. It aims to find side effects, detect chemicals in the body, and treat poisonings. It’s used in medicine to treat exposure to toxins and develop new drugs, and in agriculture to test pesticides and household items for potential effects on the environment. Some side effects aren’t seen until negative reactions are noticed.
Chemical toxicology is the study of the effects of chemicals on living organisms. This can include chemicals used in medicine, agriculture and the study of wildlife. The purpose of chemical toxicology studies is to find side effects of certain chemicals or toxins when ingested, ways to detect chemicals in the body, and ways to treat poisonings when they occur. This can be useful when developing new products or drugs that involve the use of various chemical compounds, helping researchers determine which compounds are safe for human use.
The use of chemical toxicology in medicine most often involves treating exposure to toxins and developing new drugs and treatments. Most of the drugs used in traditional medicine involve the use of multiple chemical compounds. These chemicals have a direct effect on the body, resulting in disease reversal or symptom relief. Before these compounds can be used or added to existing chemicals known to be safe, they must be thoroughly tested and approved by the appropriate agency. To test the safety of drugs, clinical trials are usually done using paid volunteers who agree to take the drug for a set amount of time.
The same methods can be used to determine an antidote for poisoning, as often one chemical is needed to neutralize another. Doctors may also run tests on individuals who show signs of poisoning after they die to determine which toxins are to blame and the exact effects they’ve had on the body. This is done by testing known toxins and narrowing them down, and carefully observing organs and other systems for any life-threatening damage.
Chemical toxicology is also used in the agricultural and environmental protection industries. Testing of chemicals used as pesticides for growing crops and those that can be used for common household purposes must be completed. This is because traces of the chemicals still remain on fruits and vegetables after harvest and can cause adverse effects on those who eat them. Household items, such as detergents, also need to be tested for potential effects on the environment.
While some tests can be done in a laboratory, other side effects from chemical use aren’t seen until negative reactions are noticed. For example, a pesticide that is widely used and thought to be safe may need to be recalled if people get sick. This involves another area of chemical toxicology that studies the effects the chemical had on the person or the environment after the damage has been done.
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