WK 1 Introduction to Toxicology and Causal Evidence

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental toxicology concepts, regulatory agencies, and evidentiary frameworks for causal claims.

Toxicology

The study of adverse effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents on organisms and ecosystems.

Hazard

The intrinsic property of a substance indicating that it can cause harm under some conditions.

Exposure

Contact between a person or organism and an agent in a medium, defined by who contacts it, how much, how often, and by which route.

Dose

The amount of a chemical that reaches the organism, which may be distinguished into internal dose and target dose.

Concentration

The amount of a chemical measured in water, air, food, or another environmental medium.

Risk

The potential for harm given actual exposure and dose conditions, determining whether concern for an adverse outcome is warranted.

Paracelsus

Historical figure who established that 'the dose makes the poison,' emphasizing that the amount of a substance determines harm.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal agency responsible for overseeing environmental chemicals and environmental protection.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

A federal regulatory agency responsible for the oversight of food, drugs, and certain consumer products.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal regulatory body responsible for creating and enforcing workplace safety requirements.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

A research institute focused on workplace health research and evidence-based safety recommendations.

Presence (Toxicological Claim)

An evidentiary claim that answers whether a specific agent is present in a sampled medium or place.

Internal Dose (Toxicological Claim)

An evidentiary claim that confirms an agent or a relevant marker of uptake has entered and reached the body.

Causation (Toxicological Claim)

An evidentiary claim requiring proof that an agent contributed to an observed outcome, supported by dose relevance, timing, mechanism, and ruling out alternatives.

The Marsh Test

A chemical method developed by James Marsh in the nineteenth century to detect arsenic in samples.

Mateu Orfila

A nineteenth-century pioneer who applied systematic chemical analysis to suspected poisonings, helping establish forensic toxicology.

Biomonitoring

The assessment of internal exposure by detecting and measuring a chemical or relevant biological marker in a body sample.

Claim / Evidence / Limit Framework

A structured scientific reasoning model consisting of the strongest supported conclusion, two specific supporting findings, and an important remaining uncertainty.