Toxicologist
Toxicologist
A Toxicologist (pronunciation: /tɒksɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/) is a scientist who specializes in the study of toxins, their effects, and the treatment of conditions caused by them.
Etymology
The term "Toxicologist" is derived from the Greek words "toxikon" meaning "poison" and "logos" meaning "study".
Role and Responsibilities
A Toxicologist's primary role is to understand the harmful effects of chemicals, biological substances, and radiation on living organisms. They conduct experiments and studies to determine the potential risks and harmful effects of new drugs, chemicals, and materials. They also develop ways to prevent, treat, and control exposure to harmful substances.
Toxicologists often work in various sectors such as pharmaceutical companies, environmental agencies, and research institutions. They may also work in forensic laboratories, where they help in the investigation of crimes and legal cases involving toxins.
Related Terms
- Toxicology: The science of studying the effects, detection, and treatment of poisons.
- Toxin: A poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
- Pharmacology: The branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
- Forensic Toxicology: The use of toxicology and other disciplines such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical chemistry to aid medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use.
Education and Training
To become a Toxicologist, one must typically earn a bachelor's degree in a related field such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacology. This is followed by a master's degree or Ph.D. in toxicology. Some toxicologists also complete postdoctoral research.
Certification can be obtained from organizations such as the American Board of Toxicology (ABT) and is often required for advanced positions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Toxicologist
- Wikipedia's article - Toxicologist
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski