Download 1. Intro to Toxicology

Toxicology and Drugs
 Aim:
What is Toxicology?
 Do
Now: Interpret the Following
“All substances are poisons. There is
none which is not. The right dose
differentiates a poison and a remedy”
 Homework:
“All substances are poisons. There is
none which is not. The right dose
differentiates a poison and a remedy”
Botulin
(aka botox)
Botulin is produced from a bacteria
1 gram could easily kill 1 million
people
Yet doctors now use botulin to
erase wrinkles and prevent
migraines
botox video clip
What Drug am I…?
You drink me every day;
When you turn on the tap,
I flow down the sink every which way.
I’ve made a big difference for each and every tooth
Cavities? No, not for this generation of youth!
So keep this information in your mental file,
Because I’m the secret to your white, healthy smile.
Answer:
Fluoride
What is Toxicology?
the study of the adverse effects
of chemicals or physical agents
on living organisms
Types:
1) Environmental -air, water, soil
2) Consumer -foods, cosmetics, drugs
3) Medical/Forensic – tests, investigations
When would a toxicology report
need to be conducted?
 Postmortem
- medical examiner or
coroner
 Criminal -motor vehicle accidents
 Workplace - drug testing
 Sports -human and animal
 Environment -industrial, catastrophic,
terrorism
Mathieu Orfila
 known
as the father of
forensic toxicology
 published in 1814 Traité des
poisons
 described the first
systematic approach to the
study of the chemistry and
physiological nature of
poisons
Toxic substances may:
Be
a cause of death
Contribute to death
Cause impairment
Explain behavior
Toxin –a substance that causes
injury to the health of a living
Thing (kills rapidly in small doses)
The time period of exposure
to toxins is very important…

Chronic Exposure – continued
exposure to toxins over a long period of
time
 Can
cause medical problems such as
weakness, sluggishness, hair/weight loss, mental
instability, and cancer

Acute Exposure - a dose large enough to
cause immediate problems, including
death
History of Poisoners
Olympias
 the
most famous ancient Greek poisoner
 Mother of Alexander the Great
 Used Poison Hemlock
History of Poisoners
Locusta
 famous roman poisoner
 Poisoned Emperor Nero by
cyanide
Lucretia Borgia
 father was Pope Alexander
 Laced drinks with white arsenic
Recent History of Poisoners
Jonestown Cult- cyanide laced
punch
Markov- ricin
Nazi Leaders- Henrich Himmler and
Mermann Goering- Ingested
cyanide
Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is Toxicology?
Who is the “Father of Toxicology”?
What is a Toxin?
What is the difference between
acute and chronic exposure?
Name and describe 2 famous
poisoners