Scientists who study these harmful effects and assess the probability of their occurrence are called toxicologists. Toxicology encompasses the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicology assesses the probability of hazards caused by such effects. Toxicology estimates the results of these effects on animal and human populations. Toxicological studies consider the cause, circumstances, effects and limits of safety of unintended harmful effects of food, food additives, drugs, household and industrial products or wastes.
Toxicological studies deal with adverse effects ranging from acute to long-term.
The important science of toxicology has direct relevance to human health, the environment and major sectors of the economy. The scientific community, governments, industry and the public all require information on the effects of potentially hazardous substances to balance the benefits which society receives against the hazards that may occur from their use of misuse. Copyright CNTC 2001.