KEY CONSIDERATION S OF TOXICOLOGY

When employers embark on workplace risk-assessment to identify possible toxin contamination in work areas, exposure of workers to toxic substances and develop methodologies to safeguard workers from adverse impacts from pollutants, the following factors must be considered.

The length or period of exposure to the chemical toxin;

The dose (i.e. amount) of substance exposure; Pre-existing medical conditions; The metabolism of the individual;

Allergies and drug reactions;

The method of exposure

– inhalation, ingestion, injection, and absorption; and

Gender, age, weight, etc.;

An individual’s habits (smoking, medication use, alcohol consumption nutritional intake, etc.);

Type of exposure – direct or indirect exposure, acute exposure, chronic exposure, or accidental