D. Why study toxicology?

(purpose)
1. To identify the poison or the toxic substances/toxin
2. To verify if it is really case of poisoning; it is deliberate or accidental
Arsenic aka Perfect Poison because it is odorless, tasteless and untraceable (not unless it accumulates and autopsied)
3. To be able to treat the individual as the occasion demand
First aid only; you should bring the patient to the hospital.
4. To forward Justice
It is related to forensic toxicology

Toxicologists study the safety and biological effects of drugs, chemicals, agents, and other substances on living organisms. They develop methods to determine
harmful effects, the dosages that cause those effects, and safe exposure limits.
They may also investigate the relationship between dose and effect, which can be influenced by factors such as the dosing regimen (single large exposure vs.
continuous smaller exposures), route of exposure (oral, dermal, nasal), age, gender, and environment. Toxicology brings together a wide variety of fields, including
chemistry, biology, pharmacology, human and animal medicine, and environmental science, to help inform policies and regulations to protect both human health and
the environment.
Toxicologists spend their time planning and conducting experiments, dosing animals, and collecting and analyzing data. Ph.D. level toxicologists interpret the results
of studies, conduct risk assessments, and integrate data from many different studies. They then create reports and recommendations for organizations and
regulatory agencies, putting the data into context and providing risk analyses to ensure the safety of the products and compounds for their intended use.

II. Poisons
A. Definition
Poisons are any chemicals that cause adverse effects; either man-made or not
B. Classification
B.1. Target organ classification
1. Agents affecting hematologic agents
- they affect the blood
a. They can affect the function of blood cells or protein (such as Hgb)
RBC = decrease oxygen it carrying capacity
Eg// Carbon Monoxide, Cyanide
WBC = affects immunity
Eg// Bisulfan (Anticancer drug)
Platelets = interferes with clotting
Eg// Snake Venom, Dora® Rat killer, Racumin
b. They interfere with erythropoiesis (the synthesis of blood cells)
Eg// Chloramphenicol à Pancytopenia anemia and Gray baby syndrome
2. Immunotoxic Agents
- they affect the immune system
a. Homeostasis
Eg// foreign substances in the body can cause immune response by inflammation because toxin create a disturbance in
the immune system à allergic reaction
b. Cells/Organ for Immunity
Cells: T cells and B Cells
Organ: Lymph node (either increase or decrease activity), Skin, Bone Marrow
3. Hepatotoxic Agents
- they affect the liver by affecting the function and structure of it
Eg// Alcohol, Paracetamol, Aflatoxin, Risperidone
4. Nephrotoxic Agents
- they affect the kidney they affect both structure and function such as excretion
Eg// NSAIDs, Diuretics, ACEIs, Aminoglycosides, Sulfonamides à Crystalomia, Increase Vitamin intake
5. Pulmonary Toxic Agents
- They can be direct or indirect
Eg// Mercury, Bleomycin, Nitrofurantoin
6. Agents affecting the Neurologic System
a. Neuropathy – affects the nerve
Eg// Doxorubicin (Anticancer Drug), Snake venom
b. Axonopathy – interfere activity of axons
Eg// Lithium
c. Myelinopathy – affects the myelin sheath
Eg// Lead
d. Affects neurotransmission
Eg// Cocaine, Snake Venom
7. Cardiovascular Toxicity
- either affect directly on structure (Ischemia) and function (arryhtmia)
Eg/// Paclitaxel, Amiodarone
8. Dermatotoxic Agents
- affects the skin; can result to photoallergy or phototoxicity
- affects directly on the skin resulting into dermatitis, contact dermatitis, erhythema, etc.
9. Substance affecting reproductive system
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 a. Targets sex hormones (either increase or decrease)
b. Target formation of the sperm and egg (spermatogenesis or oogenesis)
c. Fetal life (teratogenicity of toxins)
10. Agents affect endocrine system
- either increase or decrease secretion of substances
Eg// Iodine à Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism (Chemorbyl plants)

B.2. According in the public domain

1. Pesticides
- It includes insecticides, rodenticides, herbicide, and fungicide
2. Food and color additives
- Eg// Mushrooms, popperfish
- Two types of seafood poisoning: Scromboid and Ciguatera
3. Therapeutic Drugs
- Depends on the dose, dosage forms, and route of administration

B.3. According to source

1. Biologic
a. Plant
b. Animal
2. Environment
a. Solid
b. Liquid
c. Gas
3. Synthetic
- man-made

B.4. According to physical state

a. Solid (naphthalene balls)
b. Liquid (Methanol)
c. Gas (Carbon Monoxide)

B.5. According to Biochemical Properties

1. Chemical Structure
Eg// Alcohol
2. Mechanism of Action

B.6. Site of occurrence or exposure

1. Local – site of administration
2. Systemic – distal from site of administration
3. Both – whole body is affected

B.7. According to occurrence

1. Acute – single exposure
2. Sub acute – repeated exposure; Not more than 5% of lifespan cause toxic effects
3. Sub Chronic – repeated exposure of not more than 5-20% of lifespan
4. Chronic – Almost all of your life are exposed

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