They are also responsible to design and carry out carefully controlled studies of specific chemicals of social and economic importance to determine the conditions under which they can be used safely with little or no impact on human health or the environment. The demand for well-trained toxicologists has never been higher. Highly competitive salaries are available in a variety of employment sectors. Because toxicology is a rapidly growing field, opportunity for career advancement to executive levels is excellent for those with organizational and administrative skills and an excellent record of scientific achievement. Many toxicologists are principally involved in the acquisition of new knowledge concerning the mechanisms by which toxic substances produce their effects.
Many industries employ toxicologists to assist in the evaluation of the safety of their products.
For therapeutic drugs, food additives, cosmetics, agricultural chemicals, and other classes of chemicals, federal laws often require that the manufacturer provide adequate testing of the product before it is released into commerce. Toxicologists employed in colleges and universities are frequently involved in teaching toxicology to others. Because of the growing interest on impacts of chemicals on our society, most colleges and universities are developing new courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level to provide students with a background in the science of toxicology. The tremendous growth in public awareness of chemical hazards over the last two decades has resulted in the passage of many laws governing the production, use and disposal of chemicals. Many local, state and federal regulatory agencies employ toxicologists to assist in the development and enforcement of these laws.