This presentation provides an overview of toxicology and discusses three common toxic substances: arsenic, cadmium, and lead. It defines toxicology as the study of poisons and their effects. A brief history is given, noting Paracelsus' contributions. Common toxic substances are classified and some examples listed. Symptoms, mechanisms of action, diagnosis, and treatment are summarized for arsenic, cadmium, and lead poisoning. References are provided at the end.

1. Presentation on
Toxicology
Name- Quazi Istiaque Bari
8th Batch
Course Pharmacology-III
Khawaja Yunus Ali University
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2. Outline
 Definition of toxicology
 History of toxicology
 Classification of toxic substances
 List Of Toxic Substances
 Common Toxics Substances Exposed
 Arsenic
 Cadmium
 Lead
 References
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3. Definition Of Toxicology
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The branch of science concerned with the
nature effects and detection of poisons is
called toxicology.
It involves the study of the adverse effects
of chemical substances on living
organisms.

4. History of Toxicology 4
Paracelsus the "father" of toxicology
(1493-1541).
He determined that were actually responsible
for the toxicity of a plant or animal poison.
Paracelsus is often quoted for his statement: “All substances are poisons;
there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison
and a remedy”.
“The dose makes the poison.”

5. Some Important Terms Of Toxicology
1. Toxin - A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or
organisms.
2. Toxic - This term is relates to poisonous or deadly effects of toxin on the
body.
3. Toxicants - Any chemical that can be injured or killed humans, animals or
plants. (usually pesticides)
4. Toxicity - Toxicity is the ability of a chemical to produce an unwanted effect
within a living organisms.
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6. Classification of toxic substances
Acute
Toxins
• HCN
• NO2
Chronic
Toxins
• Mercury
• Lead
Carcinogens
• Benzene
• Cr
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CONT.

7. Classification of toxic substances(con.)
Heavy
Metals
• Lead
• Arsenic
Solvents &
vapors
• Hexane
• CO & CO2
Animal
toxins
• Venom of
snake
• Venom of
toad
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ETC.

8. List Of Toxic Substances
1. Arsenic
2. Mercury
3. Lead
4. Benzene
5. CO2
6. CO
7. HCN
8. H₂S
9. Cadmium
10. Chromium
11. Nitrogen dioxide( NO2)
12. Chloroform
13. Sulphuric acid(H2SO4)
14. Venyl chloride
15. Phosphorase
16. Dieldrine
17. Bromine
18. Chlordane
19. Dicrotophos
20. Diepoxybutane
21. Diethyl chlorophosphate
22. Digitoxin
23. Diglycidyl ether
24. Digoxin
25. Dimefox
26. Furan
27. Iron, pentacarbonyl-
28. Isobenzan
29. Isocyanic acid, 3,4-
dichlorophenyl ester
30. Isodrin Etc.
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9. Common Toxics Substances Exposed
Arsenic is the most common toxic
found all over the world. It is
highly dangerous for human and
animal food chain.
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1. Arsenic

10. Symptoms Of Arsenic Poisoning
Acute:
vomiting,
abdominal pain,
watery diarrhea
Chronic:
thickened skin,
darker skin,
cancer
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11. M/A Of Arsenic Poisoning
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12. Diagnosis
Urine test- >100μg As
in urine indication of As
toxicity.
Blood test- 0.9μg/dl
Liver function test-
serum alkaline
phosphatase and bilirubin
is raised and there is
excretion of urobilinogen
in the urine.
Hair and nails samples-
containing >300 ppm or
100 mg of arsenic per
100 gm of specimen are
diagnostic of arsenic
poisoning
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13. Treatment
1. Supportive measure :
 Gastric lavage
 Intravenous fluid
 Cardiac monitoring
2. Chelation Therapy :
 British anti lewisite (B.A.L.) Is administered (3-5)mg/kg 1M
 4 hourly for 2 days,
 6 hourly for 1 day and
 Total dose 12 hourly after wards,
 Total dose is 2.5-3 mg/kg body wt.
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14. Treatment(conti.)
 Oral Penicillamine 100mg/kg. Body wt.
 Dimarcapto Succinic Acid (DSA)
 Dimarcapto Propane Sulfonic Acid (DMPS)
3. Stomach wash should be done with milk and warm water.
4. For Gastric Lavage 1% sodium thiosulphate in water is helpful
5. Demulcent such as ghee and barley water are given.
6. Purgatives like Castor oil and magnesium sulphate is administered
to diminish intestinal absorption of arsenic.
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15. 2. Cadmium
Cadmium (group IIB of the periodic table of
elements) is a heavy metal posing severe
risks to human health. Up to this day, it
could not be shown that cadmium has any
physiological function within the human
body.
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16. Symptoms
cough
dryness and
irritation of
the nose and
throat
headache dizziness
weakness fever
Fragile
bones
chest pain
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17. M/A Of Cadmium Toxicity
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Cadmium
Inhibition of
DNA repair
Enhancement
of DNA
damage
DNA damage
Gene
mutation
Malignant
cancer

18. Diagnosis :
• Kidney test
• Urine test
• Blood test
• Liver test
Treatment :
• Fluid replacement
• Gastric lavage
• Chelation therapy
• Potent antioxidants like
vit C, E etc.
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19. 19
Lead is a chemical element with
symbol Pb and atomic number 82.
It is a heavy metal that is denser
than most common materials.
3. Lead

20. M/A Of Lead Toxicity
Lead
Binds with sulfhydryl enzymes
Decreases heme synthesis
Inhibits the production of hemoglobin
Anemia 20
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21. Lead toxicity symptoms
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Intellectual disability
abdominal pain
constipation
headaches
memory problems

22. Diagnosis
Of Lead toxicity
Blood Test is the best
solution. > 150μg/dl is
life threatening
Other blood test- FBC,
U&E, LFT, Ca, Vit-D,
Ferritin
Radiology
Urine test : > 150μg/l is
the significant sign of
lead toxicity
Treatment
of Lead toxicity
BAL
4mg/kg immediately
(children)
Mannitol 20% -
(1-1.5)gm/kg (adult)
(0.5-1)gm/kg (child)
Glycerol
(0.3-1)gm/kg orally
Diazepam
> 10mg (adult)
0.1-0.3mg/kg (child)
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23. References
1. Wikipedia
2. www.slideshare.com
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