Group of more than 120 different diseases, one for each type of cell in the human body. Each type of cancer produces a tumor in which cells multiply uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissue.
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carcinogen
Chemicals, ionizing radiation, and viruses that cause or promote the development of cancer.
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dose
The amount of a potentially harmful substance an individual ingests, inhales, or absorbs through the skin.
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dose-response curve
Plot of data showing effects of various doses of a toxic agent on a group of test organisms.
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epidemiology
Study of the patterns of disease or other harmful effects from toxic exposure within defined groups of people to find out why some people get sick and some do not.
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hazard
Something that can cause injury, disease, economic loss, or environmental damage.
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hazardous chemical
Chemical that can cause harm because it is flammable or explosive, can irritate or damage the skin or lungs (such as strong acidic or alkaline substances), or can cause allergic reactions of the immune system (allergens).
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infectious disease
See transmissible disease.
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LD50 (median lethal dose)
Amount of a toxic material per unit of body weight of test animals that kills half the test population in a certain time.
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metastasis
Spread of malignant (cancerous) cells from a tumor to other parts of the body.
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mutagen
Chemical or form of radiation that causes inheritable changes (mutations) in the DNA molecules in the genes found in chromosomes.
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neurotoxins
Chemicals that can harm the human nervous system (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves).
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nontransmissible disease
A disease that is not caused by living organisms and does not spread from one person to another. Examples are most cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malnutrition.
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pathogen
Organism that produces disease.
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poison/toxin
A chemical that adversely affects the health of a living human or animal by causing injury, illness, or death.
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probability
A mathematical statement about how likely it is that something will happen.
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response
The amount of health damage caused by exposure to a certain dose of a harmful substance or form of radiation.
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risk
The probability that something undesirable will result from deliberate or accidental exposure to a hazard.
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risk analysis
Identifying hazards, evaluating the nature and severity of risks (risk assessment), using this and other information to determine options and make decisions about reducing or eliminating risks (risk management), and communicating information about risks to decision makers and the public (risk communication).
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risk assessment
Process of gathering data and making assumptions to estimate short- and long-term harmful effects on human health or the environment from exposure to hazards associated with the use of a particular product or technology.
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risk communication
Communicating information about risks to decision makers and the public.
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risk management
Using risk assessment and other information to determine options and make decisions about reducing or eliminating risks.
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teratogen
Chemical, ionizing agent, or virus that causes birth defects.
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toxic chemical
See poison, carcinogen, hazardous chemical, mutagen, teratogen.
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toxicity
Measure of how harmful a substance is.
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toxicology
Study of the adverse effects of chemicals on health.
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transmissible disease
A disease that is caused by living organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms) and can spread from one person to another by air, water, food, or body fluids (or in some cases by insects or other organisms).
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synergistic
Combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. Explains why mixing alcohol and sedatives is so dangerous; or smoking tobacco and being exposed to asbestos.
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