A Guide to Practical Toxicology

Toxicology is a means to an important end: safety. The effective toxicologist begins with this in mind, and uses a clear understanding of safety as a relative concept, together with a rational view of the current safety evaluation paradigm to direct their work. Too often this approach is ignored or discouraged by traditional practice.
This lucid, readable book encourages both experienced toxicologists and those in training to place toxicological investigation in such a framework. It looks at the importance of toxicological normality, reviews toxicity testing methods, and explores new and 'alternative' methods of safety evaluation. The interpretation of toxicity findings in individual studies and data packages and the prediction of human-relevant hazards are reviewed, followed by an introduction to risk and how we perceive and assess risk in the light of known hazards and the probability of their occurrence. The final stage of the toxicological process, risk assessment and management, is reviewed with particular reference to the work-place.

A Guide to Practical Toxicology uses text boxes to give background information on specific subjects or to act as simple guides to toxicological method or process; this is supported by tables and case-studies intended to illustrate method, study design and interpretation. These features mean the book works at different levels, suitable for professional and student toxicologists as well as those from outside the field who require some knowledge of toxicological method and interpretation, for instance in occupational hygiene or medicine and veterinary surgery.

Adam Woolley is a Consultant in Toxicology in the UK.