INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY: OBJECT OF STUDY, IMPORTANCE, METHODS - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The industrial toxicology, also called occupational study, is the branch of medicine that is responsible for analyzing the damage caused by chemicals in the human body. It especially focuses on examining the materials used by employees in construction and production companies in order to determine how they affect their health.

This discipline emerged in the mid-twentieth century, a time in which some scientists perceived that diseases caused by harmful substances were increasing every day and attacked in a particular way the immune system of men who worked in factories. In addition, they were the ones that caused the highest percentage of deaths in the United States.

Industrial toxicology is the branch of medicine that is responsible for analyzing the damage caused by chemicals in the human body. Source: pixabay.com

From that moment, the specialists founded an institution whose purpose was to protect workers. For this reason, they focused on evaluating work environments and establishing norms that avoid risks and ensure the well-being of people. However, this matter not only excels in the legal field, but in the clinical field.

This is because since its creation it has transformed the area of ​​discoveries, since it exposed what are the conditions that are formed by means of toxic or reactive elements. Among them are cancer, musculoskeletal and traumatic injuries, cardiovascular discomfort, psychological and skin disorders.

Thanks to the treatments and research that toxicologists constantly develop, this branch has become essential for the advancement of biology and pharmacology.

Object of study of industrial toxicology

The main object of study of industrial toxicology is to identify which are the chemical agents that alter biological organisms. That is, it analyzes industrial factors with the aim of observing how the diseases that individuals develop during their work activities are generated and evolved.

To obtain valid results, specialists focus on the study of three aspects, which are:

The structure of the industry

The location and conformation of the space are essential to know which are the harmful particles that surround the employees.

The immune system of workers

Toxicologists consider that it is necessary to know the state of health of the person while in office and compare it with his previous levels. Ongoing diagnosis is essential to examine whether the individual has acquired a mild, acute, or chronic illness.

The legal framework

Scientists say it is convenient to check state laws and company policies when making a recommendation.

In this way, it is appreciated that the purpose of this discipline is to promote institutional hygiene and prevent people from using protective material.

Importance

This branch of medicine has a relevant role in the progress of the world because it not only focuses on studying the chemotoxic substances that are used in industries, but also seeks to create treatments that reduce or eliminate the diseases produced by said polluting elements.

It is worth noting that the objective of doctors is to analyze the harmful components found both in products and in the environment. They then observe the amount of toxicity to which the workers were exposed and, based on the conclusions, draw up a drug prescription.

In indulstrial toxicology they look at the amount of toxicity that workers were exposed to. Source: pixabay.com

Many times the main ingredients of drugs are the particles that make up the unit or harmful tool and that usually have an indirect effect on the human body.

It is like saying that to combat the condition it is essential to use the virus or poison that caused it and combine it with other formulas so that they have positive results in individuals.

Influence

Industrial toxicology is also important because it sets the stage for further environmental research. Following the work of toxicologists, environmentalists have managed to assess the quality of the air that man breathes in his daily life and show whether it is harmful or beneficial.

In addition, they describe the techniques and resources that individuals, especially entrepreneurs, should use to avoid pollution and contribute to the recovery of the planet.

Methods

Industrial toxicology specialists focus on field and conceptual study when preparing their work.

Therefore, the methodologies used are qualitative and quantitative. However, to examine the causes and consequences of various chemotoxic substances they focus on two measurement systems, which are:

Analysis of the physical environment

It is when toxicologists are in charge of measuring and determining which areas have been affected by harmful phenomena. For this reason, they evaluate the level of contamination of the environment.

Analysis of the biological organism

After studying the amount of toxicity found in the workplace, scientists look at how chemical molecules can enter the body. They are generally introduced into the human body through the respiratory, digestive, dermal or parenteral routes.

By using this method, doctors aim to calculate the dose of toxic particles found within the immune system of employees.

Concepts

Since industrial toxicology emerged, specialists created a particular language to communicate in the field of work. The following lines will present the most used concepts:

Toxin

It is a poisonous substance of synthetic or natural origin that destroys human cells and favors the growth of chronic diseases.

Selective toxicity

It is when certain chemicals are detrimental to some immune systems, but not others.

Effect dose

It refers to the extensive damage to tissues and muscles caused by the large portions of harmful particles that entered the body. This definition is used when workers develop severe illness.

Threshold dose

They are the minimum reactions that men experience when exposed to certain chemical phenomena. This term is often associated with transient viruses, since the conditions caused by low doses can disappear after following strict medication.

Sensitive subpopulation

It refers to the groups of employees that are most vulnerable to suffering from acute illnesses, even if they do not work directly with chemotoxic substances.

References

1. Ibarra, E. (2012). Occupational health toxicology. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from the National Institute of Health: ins.gov.co
2. Kusnetz, P. (2007). Branches of medicine. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from the University of Pittsburgh: dom.pitt.edu
3. Lowry, K. (2003). Causes and consequences of industrial and environmental toxicology. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from the Department of Medicine: medicine.stanford.edu
4. Mata, F. (2009). Industrial toxicology: Safety and hygiene. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from the Department of Health: salud.pr
5. Murthy, L. (2005). Methodology and concepts of industrial toxicology. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from Faculty of Medicine: medicine.utoronto.ca
6. Rodríguez, J. (2014). Occupational safety and protection measure. Retrieved on December 11, 2019 from the World Health Organization: who.int