Medical Toxicology

Environmental Toxicology

Environmental toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of various chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms at different levels of ecosystem. Many sources lead to environmental toxicity which includes toxicants from pollutants, insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, industrial and metallic toxicants. All these agents have a profound influence on the living organisms. This may result in the imbalance of ecosystem.

Anthropogenic factors, manufactured chemicals etc. have a major impact on aquatic ecosystems. The first affected population due to the environmental pollutant burdens is the aquatic population. Aquatic toxicology studies the impact of these factors on the aquatic organisms at various levels of organisation and ecosystem. Aquatic toxicology is a multidisciplinary field which integrates toxicology, aquatic ecology and aquatic chemistry. The chemical substances which are used to kill, injure or incapacitate human beings with their toxic properties are called as Chemical Warfare Agents. These agents can be any state-solid, liquid, gas or volatile. These are inexpensive and relatively easy to manufacture. The chemical warfare agents may be classified into Harassing agents, Incapacitating agents, Lethal agents, Blood agents, Choking agents, Nerve agents.