This substantially updated edition presents fundamental principles and concepts behind the various types of toxicological studies, and explains how to design and conduct studies and interpret results. The text explains the increasing need to monitor, assess, and reevaluate the toxicity database of many agents and evaluates the place of individual studies in the overall toxicological assessment of a chemical. Concise descriptions of the formats of in vivo and in vitro studies and methods used in assessing endpoints of toxicity make this an essential introduction and guide for anyone who needs to understand or conduct toxicological studies. Reflecting increasing interest in the "Three Rs" (Reducing, Refining, and Replacement of existing animal tests) in recent years, the Second Edition includes much more information on a variety of new alternative testing protocols. Particular attention is given to the new in vitro alternative testing procedures being incorporated into EEC regulations. The text also covers studies required by regulatory agencies around the world.

Advances in molecular biology and toxicology are paving the way for major improvements in the evaluation of the hazards posed by the large number of chemicals found at low levels in the environment. The National Research Council was asked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the state of the science and create a far-reaching vision for the future of toxicity testing. The book finds that developing, improving, and validating new laboratory tools based on recent scientific advances could significantly improve our ability to understand the hazards and risks posed by chemicals. This new knowledge would lead to much more informed environmental regulations and dramatically reduce the need for animal testing because the new tests would be based on human cells and cell components. Substantial scientific efforts and resources will be required to leverage these new technologies to realize the vision, but the result will be a more efficient, informative and less costly system for assessing the hazards posed by industrial chemicals and pesticides.

Toxicity testing in laboratory animals provides much of the information used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the hazards and risks associated with exposure to environmental agents that might harm public health or the environment. The data are used to establish maximum acceptable concentrations of environmental agents in drinking water, set permissible limits of exposure of workers, define labeling requirements, establish tolerances for pesticides residues on food, and set other kinds of limits on the basis of risk assessment. Because the number of regulations that require toxicity testing is growing, EPA called for a comprehensive review of established and emerging toxicity-testing methods and strategies. This interim report reviews current toxicity-testing methods and strategies and near-term improvements in toxicity-testing approaches proposed by EPA and others. It identifies several recurring themes and questions in the various reports reviewed. The final report will present a long-range vision and strategic plan to advance the practices of toxicity testing and human health assessment of environmental contaminants.

The public depends on competent risk assessment from the federal government and the scientific community to grapple with the threat of pollution. When risk reports turn out to be overblownâ€"or when risks are overlookedâ€"public skepticism abounds. This comprehensive and readable book explores how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can improve its risk assessment practices, with a focus on implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. With a wealth of detailed information, pertinent examples, and revealing analysis, the volume explores the "default option" and other basic concepts. It offers two views of EPA operations: The first examines how EPA currently assesses exposure to hazardous air pollutants, evaluates the toxicity of a substance, and characterizes the risk to the public. The second, more holistic, view explores how EPA can improve in several critical areas of risk assessment by focusing on cross-cutting themes and incorporating more scientific judgment. This comprehensive volume will be important to the EPA and other agencies, risk managers, environmental advocates, scientists, faculty, students, and concerned individuals.

Fundamentals of Toxicology: Essential Concepts and Applications provides a crisp, easy-to-understand overview of the most important concepts, applications, and ideas needed to learn the basics of toxicology. Written by a pre-eminent toxicologist with over five decades of teaching experience, this comprehensive resource offers the hands-on knowledge needed for a strong foundation in the wide field of toxicology. Fundamentals of Toxicology includes a clear structure divided into five units to assist learning and understanding. The first unit provides extensive coverage on the background of toxicology including commonly used definitions and historical perspective, while following units cover: basic concepts; regulatory requirements and good laboratory practices, including types of toxicology testing and evaluation; toxic agents and adverse effects on health; and analytical, forensic, and diagnostic toxicology. This is an essential book for advanced students in toxicology and across the biomedical sciences, life sciences, and environmental sciences who want to learn the concepts of toxicology, as well as early researchers needing to refresh outside of their specialty. - Explains the essential concepts of toxicology in a clear fashion - Provides in-depth coverage of testing protocols, common drugs, chemicals, and laboratory-based diagnostic and analytical toxicology - Explores the history, foundations, and most recent concepts of toxicology - Serves as an essential reference for advanced students in toxicology and across the biomedical, life, and environmental sciences who want to learn the concepts of toxicology

Acute toxicity tests are an area of focus for developing alternative assays and approaches to address animal welfare concerns. In the context of this document, acute toxicity studies refer to studies involving a single exposure to a test chemical and include those assessing systemic toxicity as ...