Toxicity

By: Alternix

Introduction to Toxicity

Etymology:
In Ancient Greek medical literature, the adjective 'τoξικόν' (meaning toxic) was used to describe substances that caused death or serious debilitation.
The word 'toxicity' draws its origins from the Greek noun 'τόξον' (meaning arc), in reference to the use of bows and poisoned arrows as weapons.
English-speaking American culture has adopted figurative usages for toxicity, often when describing harmful inter-personal relationships or character traits.
History:
Humans have a long history of being aware of toxicity and using it as a tool.
Archaeologists have found evidence of poison arrows being used as early as 72,000 to 80,000 years ago.
The San people of Southern Africa have preserved the practice of making poison arrows into the modern era.

Types:
There are five types of toxicities: chemical, biological, physical, radioactive, and behavioral.
Pathogens, although toxic in a broad sense, are generally called pathogens rather than toxicants.
Physical toxicants interfere with biological processes, such as coal dust or asbestos fibers.
Measuring:
Toxicity can be measured by its effects on the target organism, organ, tissue, or cell.
Population-level measures of toxicity are often used to account for individual differences in response.
Safety factors are added to account for uncertainties in data and evaluation processes.

Classification:
Substances must be properly classified and labeled for appropriate regulation and handling.
The international pictogram for toxic chemicals is used to indicate toxicity.
Health hazards:
Toxicities can cause lethality to the entire body, specific organs, major/minor damage, or cancer.
Acute toxicity looks at lethal effects following oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure.
Acute toxicity is divided into five categories of severity, ranging from Category 1 requiring the least exposure to Category 5 requiring the most exposure to be lethal.
Skin corrosion and irritation are determined through a skin patch test analysis.
Other health hazards include eye damage, respiratory sensitizers, skin sensitizers, carcinogens, neurotoxicity, reproductively toxic substances, specific-target organ toxins, and aspiration hazards.

Environmental hazards:
Environmental hazards adversely affect the environment and can be physical or chemical.
Common types of environmental hazards include water contaminants (detergents, pesticides, heavy metals), soil contaminants (heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides), and air pollutants (particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide).
The EPA maintains a list of priority pollutants for testing and regulation.
Occupational hazards:
Workers in various occupations may be at a greater risk of toxicity, including neurotoxicity.
The expression 'Mad as a hatter' originates from the occupational toxicity of hatters.
Exposure to chemicals in the workplace environment requires evaluation by industrial hygiene professionals.

Hazards for small businesses:
Small businesses face hazards related to occupational toxicity.
Medical waste disposal poses specific risks for small businesses.
Hazards in the arts have been a concern for centuries.
Artists have used toxic materials and techniques without realizing their toxicity.
Non-toxic alternatives and safer practices have been developed in the arts.
Mapping environmental hazards:
TOXMAP is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that visually explores data from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory and Superfund programs.
TOXMAP is funded by the US Federal Government.
Aquatic toxicity testing determines the lethality level of substances on key indicator species.
Fish are exposed for 96 hours, while crustacea are exposed for 48 hours.
The EPA defines aquatic toxicity as practically non-toxic in concentrations greater than 100 ppm.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/toxicity
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicity
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q274160
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/016w62