Toxicology has never been more important. Advances in chemistry and technology offering improvements in the quality of human life become ever more rapid, bringing with them the potential for new toxicity hazards. This has led to legislation requiring toxicity testing and risk assessment for all chemicals and their uses. The new REACH (Risk Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) Regulation has profound economic consequences because, without official authorization, a chemical cannot be marketed. This book explains, in depth, the ideas underlying current advances in toxicology and its application in regulating and ensuring the safe use of chemicals. Sometimes old ideas have become assumptions that have become embedded in related laws and regulation, even though the thinking of toxicologists has moved on in line with developments in science. This leads to confusion in public understanding that the book should dispel. There are also fundamental ideas in toxicology that are not well understood concerning the concepts of hazard and risk and even about what constitutes a chemical. For many people the word 'chemical' describes manmade substances only. In fact, it is correctly applied to all substances that exist, from pure elements to the most complex biological molecules in food and medicines. This is further complicated by the complex distinction between the descriptors, 'toxic' and 'nontoxic'. Developments in epigenetics are revolutionizing our understanding of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Improved understanding of apoptosis and necrosis leads to improved interpretation of potentially toxic effects at the cellular level. The recently defined term 'chemical speciation' is driving more targeted research on the toxicity of inorganic chemicals. This book explains the concepts implied by key toxicological terms using diagrams to illustrate the relationships between them. It is an essential aid to understanding the new demands from regulators of risk assessment and to the implementation of appropriate risk management.

Fundamental Toxicology is a concise and comprehensive review of toxicology. It is based on the highly successful Fundamental Toxicology for Chemists and has been enriched and expanded. Every chapter in this new edition has been revised and updated, and four new chapters have been added. With contributions from internationally recognised experts in their field, this broad-based introduction to the topic covers both well-established and rapidly developing areas of toxicology, such as toxicogenomics, reproductive toxicology, behavioural toxicology and ecotoxicology. The book was written and published with the support of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The book includes new information on: risk assessment and risk management; toxicogenomics; effects of toxic substances on the human body; environmental distribution of chemicals and ecotoxicology; clinical toxicology; pharmaceutical toxicology; and aspects of laboratory measurement and safe laboratory practice. Fundamental Toxicology is ideal for students and includes extensive pedagogical features, such as an extensive glossary, a bibliography after each chapter and recommended further reading. It is also designed for teachers and lecturers, especially those who may be teaching toxicology for the first time. Included is a suggested curriculum for using the text to teach toxicology to students from various scientific disciplines. Professionals working in toxicology and related fields will find this an invaluable guide.