Toxicology

Toxicology is the scientific discipline that examines how chemical, physical and biological agents interact with living systems to produce adverse effects. It spans molecular mechanisms—how a compound binds to or disrupts receptors and enzymes—through to organismal responses, including organ‐level injury, altered physiology and increased disease risk. Fundamental concepts include the dose–response relationship, which posits that the severity and type of toxic effect depend on both the amount and duration of exposure; target‐organ toxicity, whereby some tissues are especially susceptible; and the distinction between acute, subchronic and chronic exposure, which describe effects arising in minutes or hours, weeks to months, or over many months or years respectively. In practice, toxicological assessment integrates in vitro assays, animal studies conducted under standardised conditions and, increasingly, computational models to predict hazard, characterise exposure–effect relationships and guide safety decisions for drugs, industrial chemicals, consumer products and environmental contaminants. This multidisciplinary framework informs regulatory limits, therapeutic dosing, risk management and public health measures, ensuring that benefits outweigh potential harm.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent work has elucidated the molecular drivers of metal fume fever, a self-limiting inflammatory syndrome arising from inhaled zinc oxide particles. In animal models, subacute exposures to zinc fumes triggered a pronounced increase in interleukin-17f expression in lung and lymphatic tissues, linking oxidative stress to neutrophil recruitment and early febrile responses. This insight suggests IL-17f as a key mediator and potential biomarker for acute metal-induced pulmonary injury. In parallel, a comparative study of particulate emissions from different firearm types identified that rifle smoke—rich in insoluble copper-containing solids—elicited greater lung inflammation and functional impairment in mice than handgun emissions or isolated copper particles alone. These findings demonstrate how chemical composition and particle solubility dictate pulmonary toxicity and underscore the need for targeted exposure controls in occupational and environmental settings.

Toxicology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in toxicology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dose–response relationship: The correlation between the amount of exposure to a substance and the extent of the toxic effect produced.

Target-organ toxicity: Adverse effects that primarily affect one or a few organs due to selective accumulation or sensitivity.

LD₅₀: The dose of a substance that is lethal to 50 % of a test population, used to estimate acute toxicity.

NOAEL (No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level): The highest exposure level at which no adverse effects are detected in a study.

Genotoxicity: The capacity of a compound to damage genetic material, leading to mutations or chromosomal alterations.

Oxidative stress: A state in which reactive oxygen species overwhelm antioxidant defences, causing damage to lipids, proteins and DNA.

Cytokine: A signalling protein released by immune cells to regulate inflammation and immune responses.

References

1. Immune response to zinc oxide inhalation in metal fume fever, and the possible role of IL-17f. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. Chemistry and lung toxicity of particulate matter emitted from firearms. Scientific Reports (2022).
3. Anti-Amnesia-like Effect of Pinus densiflora Extract by Improving Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation on Trimethyltin-Induced ICR Mice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Positive association between blood ethylene oxide levels and metabolic syndrome: NHANES 2013-2020. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2024).
5. Aluminum, a colorful gamechanger: Uptake of an aluminum-containing food color in human cells and its implications for human health. Food Chemistry (2024).
6. General Principles of Toxicology.