187.610.81 PUBLIC HEALTH TOXICOLOGY

Students examine basic concepts of toxicology as they apply to the effects of environmental agents, e.g. chemicals, metals, on public health. We discuss the distribution, cellular penetration, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents, as well as the fundamental laws governing the interaction of foreign chemicals with biological systems. Students focus on the application of these concepts to the understanding and prevention of morbidity and mortality resulting from environmental exposures to toxic substances through a case study format.

After completing this course, students will be able to do the following: 1. Describe the chemical properties and the biological processes which modulate the toxicokinetics of chemical agents of public health importance. 2. Explain the significance of biotransformation reactions as a determinant of the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic activities of chemicals. 3. Describe molecular, cellular and pathophysiological responses resulting from exposure to chemical agents relevant to human health. 4. Identify underlying susceptibility factors which contribute to the ability of chemicals to elicit bioeffects which contribute to human disease. 5. Explain the science underlying testing for the ability of chemicals to elicit adverse human health effects. 6. Put into perspective the role of toxicology in the risk assessment process.