Toxicology in Current Science

Toxicology begins from basic research investigations on the mechanism of action of toxins through the development and interpretation of standard tests characterizing the toxic properties of agents. Toxicology provides important tools for both medicine and epidemiology in understanding aetiology and in providing information as to the plausibility of observed associations between exposures, including occupations, and disease. Toxicology can be divided into various disciplines, such as clinical, forensic, investigative and regulatory toxicology; toxicology can be considered by target organ system or process, such as immunotoxicology or genetic toxicology; toxicology can be presented in functional terms, such as research, testing and risk assessment. Today, toxicology has become an important element in environmental and occupational health. As part of prevention strategies, toxicology is invaluable, since it is the source of information on potential hazards in the absence of widespread human exposures. Toxicological screening are also widely used by industry, academic in product development, to provide information useful in the design of specific molecules or product formulations.