Toxicologist Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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toxicologist
[tɒkˈsɪkəˌlɒdʒɪst ]
Definition
science profession
A toxicologist is a scientist who studies the effects of chemicals on living organisms and the environment. They assess the risks associated with exposure to harmful substances and work to prevent and mitigate toxic impacts on health and ecosystems.
Synonyms
chemical safety expert, hazard assessment specialist, toxicological researcher.
Examples of usage
- The toxicologist conducted tests to evaluate the safety of new pharmaceuticals.
- In her role as a toxicologist, she frequently collaborates with environmental agencies.
- The toxicologist presented research on the long-term effects of pesticide exposure.
- During the investigation, the toxicologist analyzed samples for hazardous materials.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Health and Medicine
- Toxicologists play a key role in testing drugs for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for public use.
- They often work with law enforcement to analyze substances found at crime scenes.
- Understanding toxic substances helps in treating poisoning cases and preventing deaths.
Environmental Science
- Toxicologists assess the impact of pollutants on ecosystems, helping to set environmental regulations.
- They study how chemicals in the air, water, and soil affect wildlife and plant life.
- Climate change is creating new challenges for toxicologists as they monitor emerging pollutants.
Pop Culture
- TV shows and movies often feature toxicologists as protagonists solving mysterious poisoning cases.
- Popular media sometimes exaggerates the work of toxicologists, depicting them as crime-fighting heroes.
- Fictional scenarios often highlight the dramatic effects of toxic substances, raising public awareness.
Forensic Science
- In forensic cases, toxicologists analyze fluids like blood and urine for drugs or toxins.
- Their findings can be crucial in criminal investigations and legal cases.
- The work often involves collaborating with law enforcement and medical professionals.
Origin of 'toxicologist'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'toxic,' from the Latin 'toxicum,' meaning poison, and 'ologist,' which refers to someone who studies a certain field.
- In the early 20th century, the term began gaining prominence as environmental and health concerns grew.
- The practice has roots in medicine and chemistry, with ties to the study of harmful substances.
The term 'toxicologist' originates from the combination of the Greek word 'toxikon', meaning 'poison', and 'logist', deriving from 'logos', which means 'study' or 'discourse'. The field of toxicology began to evolve in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when researchers started to understand the effects of poisons and toxins on human health and the environment. As industrialization increased, so did the need to study various chemical exposures, leading to the formal establishment of toxicology as a scientific discipline. Today, toxicologists work in diverse areas, including pharmaceuticals, environmental health, forensic science, and regulatory affairs, focusing on understanding how different substances affect biological systems.