Lesson 3: Environmental Toxicology (Part 1)

Environmental toxicology examines toxic substances in the environment and their effects on humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. It integrates toxicology with ecology, chemistry, genetics, and public health to assess risks and guide mitigation strategies. The field grew significantly after Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), which highlighted ecological harm from pesticides like DDT. The term ecotoxicology was coined in 1969 to describe ecosystem-level toxic effects. Applications: 1. Environmental risk assessment 2. Monitoring pollutants in air, water, and soil 3. Evaluating ecological impacts 4. Supporting regulatory decisions 5. Developing safer chemicals and remediation strategies Current Research Areas: 1. Microplastic toxicity 2. PFAS exposure pathways 3. Nanomaterial behavior and fate 4. Ecological risk assessment frameworks 5.Environmental toxicology remains essential for understanding pollutant impacts and protecting ecosystem and human health.