Concept in Definition ABC

When a substance has harmful or dangerous properties, it is a toxic substance and its potential damaging capacity is its toxicity. Consequently, the toxicity of something (for example, a metal concrete) is that its properties have a certain danger, for example for the health of people, for the development of a plant or for the life of animals.

Metals toxic to human health

Metals such as mercury, lead, aluminum, nickel or arsenic have a degree of toxicity and gradually affect our body. We are exposed to these metals and each of them is potentially harmful to health.

Mercury is found in silver fillers used in dentistry or tattoos and its accumulation can affect the brain, kidney or liver and cause immune disorders or loss of memory. Lead is found in newspapers, canned food, some cosmetics and toothpastes, or in insecticides and exposition This metal negatively affects the brain or liver.

Aluminum is used in water services to remove waste or in pots and pans and when it comes into contact with the bloodstream it becomes an element

toxic and it can lead to strokes, anemia, or memory problems.

Nickel is found in household stainless steel utensils and coins, and its accumulation in the body is one of the causes of cancer or certain skin diseases.

Arsenic is found in cigarette smoke, detergents, some beers, or seafood and accumulates in the kidneys or liver, causing headaches, fatigue and confusion mental.

Alcohol toxicity

Alcoholic beverages contain ethyl alcohol, a substance with high toxicity. In fact, addiction to alcohol is very harmful to the body. The list of harmful effects is wide: hypertension, vitamin deficiency, epileptic seizures, anemia, problems respiratory disorders, sleep disorders, gastric discomfort and muscle weakness, among many others effects.

Toxicology is the discipline that studies the harmful effects of some substances

It has multiple links with other areas, as it is related to medicine forensic, the pharmacology, legal medicine or criminology.

Toxicology specialists study the adverse effects of xenobiotics, that is, substances that negatively affect the development of life in general. A xenobiotic is, therefore, any compound that endangers health due to its contaminating and degrading capacity.

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Topics in Toxicity