Toxicology

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. state the definitions and terms used in toxicology and the dose-response relationships that define toxicological effects; 2. explain the mechanisms of chemical toxicity and general principles of management of acute poisoning; 3. discuss plant, bacterial and animal poisoning and pesticide toxicology; 4. discuss toxicology of heavy metals and their antagonists (chelating agents), food additives, solvents, vapours and gases; 5. summarise the toxicology of cosmetics, radiation and radioactive materials; 6. describe the toxic effects of environmental pollutants on organ system; and 7. explain the stages and toxico-legal aspects of death in chemical poisoning (Forensic toxicology.

Introduction: History and scope of / terms used in Toxicology. Toxicological Evaluation. Purpose and Value of ED50 and LD50 determination. General management of poisoning including resuscitation protocol, methods of reducing poison absorption, increasing elimination and antidotal therapy. Toxicokinetics including metabolism of toxic substances. Carcinogens and mutagens. Toxins of plant, bacteria and animal (snake, scorpion, bees, spiders, clostridium and botulinum) origins. Toxicology of ionizing radiations. Toxicity of pesticides, Insecticides (Organochlorine insecticides; DDT; chlorinated cyclodiene insecticides: Organophosphorus insecticides, acute poisoning, delayed neurotoxic effects; Carbamate insecticides; Herbicides; Chlorophenoxy- compounds; Dinitrophenols; Bipyridyl compounds: Fungicides (mention only). Rodenticides: Warfarin and Nafluorantate; Inorganic rodenticides (salts of thallium, barium zinc, and many others) and Fumigants (mention only)). Toxicity of Heavy metals including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, iron, chromium, cyanide and their antagonists. Toxicity of Cosmetic ingredients such as talc, hydroquinone and many others. and Testing. Poisoning and Management of Drug Poisoning. Environmental Pollution. Industrial Toxicology including solvents, vapours and gases (Aliphatic halogenated hydrocarbons; Chloroform; Carbon tetrachloride; Tri-and tetrachloroethylene (briefly); Aliphatic alcohols: Ethanol; Methanol; Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents: Benzene, Kerosene, Carbon monoxide). Toxicology of Food Additives (preservatives, seasoning, flavouring, colouring agents) and contaminants. Forensic Toxicology.