TOX20303: Teaching aims
Lecture 1: Introduction History and Scope of Toxicology
Knowledge of two examples of the use of toxins in history.
Greek: Drinking of hemlock, a plant extract. Hemlock contains neurotoxins, which killed
people. It was the Greek state poison. Socrates was killed by being forced to drink it.
Romans: They used cyanide, mushrooms or poison herbs. The poisonings happened via
dinner or drinks. It became common practice, there became a law against poisoning.
Middle Ages: Certain berries contained atropin/scopolamin. 10 – 20 berries are fatal.
Atropin was also used to widen eye pupils, because it used to be a beauty standard.
Fungi produce mycotoxicoses, which cause adverse effects; mental illness and reduced blood
supply to hands and feet, which caused black limbs.
Knowledge of the contribution of Paracelsus to the field of Toxicology.
Paracelsus is the founder of toxicology. His notion of dose is still very famous. He said: “All
things are poison and nothing isn’t poison. It’s the dose that makes it toxic.
Knowledge of the contribution of Orfila to the field of Toxicology.
Orfilla introduced the “target organ” concept and animal experiments. The target organ is
the most sensitive organ for a chemical. If this organ is safe, the rest of the organs are safe.
Knowledge of the contribution of Van Hasselt to the field of Toxicology.
Van Hasselt was the first Dutch toxicologist. He wrote a book called “Vergifleer”.
Knowledge of the key-role of DDT, Rachel Carsons’ book Silent Spring, thalidomide
(softanon), TCDD (Agent Orange) and the World War II era in the development of
Modern Toxicology.
DDT: It was introduced in the late 1920’s and it is still used as insectide to fight malaria.
It is highly persistent. The consequences were discovered with birds. They produced
fragile egg shells that broke when they sat on it. This caused reproduction problems.
Silent spring: She challenged the notion that man was destined to control nature,
specifically to control pests through use of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT.
TCDD: This is also highly persistent. It causes reproduction problems and
malformations in unborn children. Children are born with not fully grown arms and legs
and they have malformations in their faces.
Modern toxicology is a multidisciplinary field of science. There is a strong link between
science and society and there are new emerging technologies and topics.
The major aims are:
1. Define toxicity, mechanisms of action and structure activity relationships for chemicals.
2. Evaluation of health and environmental hazards and risks.
3. Advisory task for authorities, industries and consumers.
Knowledge of the following principles/aspects: Ebers papyrus, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), functional foods.
Ebers papyrus: An Egyptian compilation containing about 700 magical formulas and folk
remedies to cure afflictions like crocodile or scorpion bites. They contain information on
many recognised poisons, including aconitine (a Chinese arrow poison), opium (used both as
an antidote and a poison), and metals such as lead, copper and antimony.
Functional foods: In addition in the field of food toxicology there is an increasing interest for
the use of bioactive food ingredients in functional foods, nutraceuticals and food
supplements, for which, in addition to research supporting the various beneficial health
claims, toxicological data and proper risk-benefit assessments are also required.
Lecture 2: Principles of Toxicology
Knowledge of specialised areas of Toxicology and their major topic of interest.
Clinical/Forensic: Source of the toxic.
Occupational: Chemicals at the working place.
Food: Adverse effects of food components.
Lecture 1: Introduction History and Scope of Toxicology
Knowledge of two examples of the use of toxins in history.
Greek: Drinking of hemlock, a plant extract. Hemlock contains neurotoxins, which killed
people. It was the Greek state poison. Socrates was killed by being forced to drink it.
Romans: They used cyanide, mushrooms or poison herbs. The poisonings happened via
dinner or drinks. It became common practice, there became a law against poisoning.
Middle Ages: Certain berries contained atropin/scopolamin. 10 – 20 berries are fatal.
Atropin was also used to widen eye pupils, because it used to be a beauty standard.
Fungi produce mycotoxicoses, which cause adverse effects; mental illness and reduced blood
supply to hands and feet, which caused black limbs.
Knowledge of the contribution of Paracelsus to the field of Toxicology.
Paracelsus is the founder of toxicology. His notion of dose is still very famous. He said: “All
things are poison and nothing isn’t poison. It’s the dose that makes it toxic.
Knowledge of the contribution of Orfila to the field of Toxicology.
Orfilla introduced the “target organ” concept and animal experiments. The target organ is
the most sensitive organ for a chemical. If this organ is safe, the rest of the organs are safe.
Knowledge of the contribution of Van Hasselt to the field of Toxicology.
Van Hasselt was the first Dutch toxicologist. He wrote a book called “Vergifleer”.
Knowledge of the key-role of DDT, Rachel Carsons’ book Silent Spring, thalidomide
(softanon), TCDD (Agent Orange) and the World War II era in the development of
Modern Toxicology.
DDT: It was introduced in the late 1920’s and it is still used as insectide to fight malaria.
It is highly persistent. The consequences were discovered with birds. They produced
fragile egg shells that broke when they sat on it. This caused reproduction problems.
Silent spring: She challenged the notion that man was destined to control nature,
specifically to control pests through use of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT.
TCDD: This is also highly persistent. It causes reproduction problems and
malformations in unborn children. Children are born with not fully grown arms and legs
and they have malformations in their faces.
Modern toxicology is a multidisciplinary field of science. There is a strong link between
science and society and there are new emerging technologies and topics.
The major aims are:
1. Define toxicity, mechanisms of action and structure activity relationships for chemicals.
2. Evaluation of health and environmental hazards and risks.
3. Advisory task for authorities, industries and consumers.
Knowledge of the following principles/aspects: Ebers papyrus, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), functional foods.
Ebers papyrus: An Egyptian compilation containing about 700 magical formulas and folk
remedies to cure afflictions like crocodile or scorpion bites. They contain information on
many recognised poisons, including aconitine (a Chinese arrow poison), opium (used both as
an antidote and a poison), and metals such as lead, copper and antimony.
Functional foods: In addition in the field of food toxicology there is an increasing interest for
the use of bioactive food ingredients in functional foods, nutraceuticals and food
supplements, for which, in addition to research supporting the various beneficial health
claims, toxicological data and proper risk-benefit assessments are also required.
Lecture 2: Principles of Toxicology
Knowledge of specialised areas of Toxicology and their major topic of interest.
Clinical/Forensic: Source of the toxic.
Occupational: Chemicals at the working place.
Food: Adverse effects of food components.
