pollution basics
what is the idea of one health
the idea that human and animal health is connected in shared environment
what is a rough definition of toxicology?
Toxicology is the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the environment. It focuses on understanding how toxins affect biological systems
What does Paracelsus mean when he says, ‘the dose differentiates poison and a remedy?
Paracelsus emphasized that every substance can be toxic or beneficial depending on the dose.
What is individual susceptibility? Who are most susceptible?
Individual susceptibility refers to the varying levels of response to toxins among different individuals based on genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. Certain populations may be more vulnerable, including:
give a rough definition of pollution
the introduction of harmful substances or energy (noise, heat or light) into an environment which causes a change in the physical/
chemical/ biological
characteristics of the natural environment
what is environmental toxicology
Environmental toxicology is a subfield of toxicology that specifically examines the effects of toxic substances on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health within the context of environmental exposure
what is a dose and how are they calculated?
-The amount of a substance administered or consumed, often expressed in units like milligrams per kilogram of body weight, Doses can be calculated based on the concentration of the substance and the volume administered or consumed.
what is Ld50?
LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%) is the dose of a toxic substance that is expected to cause death in 50% of a test population.
name 3 sources of pollution with examples
what is a toxin give 1 example
what is a response?
The biological effect observed following exposure to a toxin or toxicant, such as symptoms of toxicity or pharmacological effects.
how is LD50 measured?
To determine LD50, controlled studies are conducted where various doses of a substance are administered to a group of test animals (often rodents). The number of deaths is recorded at each dose level, and statistical analysis is used to find the dose at which 50% of the test subjects die
what are the 8 types of pollution
what is a toxicant?
A toxicant is a synthetic or man-made substance that can cause harm to living organisms. Examples include pesticides, heavy metals, industrial chemicals and DDT
how does size(mass) effect the amount/dose?
A higher dose generally leads to a stronger response or effect. The size/mass of the individual also influences how a dose is perceived; larger individuals may require a larger dose to experience the same level of effect as smaller individuals. Thus, dose is typically adjusted based on body weight.
what is a risk assessment and what are its benefits?
Risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks posed by exposure to hazardous substances. It typically involves four steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization.
Conducting risk assessments is crucial because it helps to:
Identify potential health hazards.
Inform regulatory decisions and public health policies.
Protect vulnerable populations by understanding risk factors.
Aid in the development of safety guidelines and exposure limit
what is the difference between point source and non-point source pollution
- point source pollution refers to pollutants that can be traced back to a single, identifiable source. For example, a factory pipe discharging waste into a river or a sewage treatment plant.
-non-point source pollution comes from multiple, diffuse sources and is often the result of runoff from land, which carries pollutants into water bodies. This can include agricultural runoff, urban runoff from streets, and sediment from construction sites.
what's the difference between a toxin and a toxicant?
-toxins are harmful substances that come from the environment and natural sources
-toxicants are man-made harmful substances that can cause harm to living organisms
what are all of the elements of the dose response curve? there are 5.
1.dose axis
2.repsonse axis
3.threshold
4.slope
5.maximal response