Course Description and Material

Do you want to learn more about the principles of toxicology and the health effects of chemical exposures? You will benefit from "A Small Dose of Toxicology," a basic course based on the book A Small Dose of Toxicology by Steven G. Gilbert.

The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Hazards and risks of exposure are evaluated and put into perspective by exploring chemicals encountered in everyday life. You will learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body, and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others.

More information on the book, including PowerPoint presentations for each chapter, is available on the A Small Dose of ... website.

Course outline and clickable toxicology posters

• Course outline and overview download (pdf file)

Below are clickable posters. Open the pdf file and click on a square to interactively explore toxicology.

• A Small Dose of Toxicology clickable poster (0.4 MB PDF file)
• Milestones of Toxicology clickable poster (1.4 MB PDF file)
• World Library of Toxicology clickable poster (2.1 MB PDF file)

A Small Dose of Toxicology Day 1

• Session Welcome Welcome slides ppt (6.6 MB)

• Introduction to Toxicology Lecture 1 slides ppt (4.7 MB)

• A Small Dose of Neurotoxicology Lecture 2 slides ppt (2.4 MB)

• A Small Dose of Lead Lecture 3 slides ppt (2.4 MB)
  • Article Lead 10 to 2 reading 1 (0.3 MB)

• A Small Dose of Reproductive & Developmental Toxicology Lecture 4 slides ppt (3.0 MB)

• Precautionary Assessment - Beyond Risk Assessment Lecture 5 slides ppt (1.2 MB)
  • Article - Public Health and the Precautionary Principle(1-page PDF on the Precautionary Principle)
  • Article - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: Our Children's Future (PDF, longer paper on ethics, PP and children)
  • Article - Ethical, Legal, Social and Professional Issues in Toxicology by S.G. Gilbert and D.L. Eaton
  • Article - Precautionary Assessment: Beyond Risk Assessment (PDF, details on precautionary assessment)
  • Spreadsheet - Precautionary Assessment Criteria (Excel file)

A Larger Dose of Toxicology Day 2

• Session Welcome - S. Gilbert

• Toxicology and Drug Development Lecture slides by Rafael Ponce, PhD, DABT
  • FDA - Development & Approval Process (Drugs)
  • Toxicology and Pharmacology Branch - National Cancer Institute

• Cancer Toxicology Lecture slides by Steven G. Gilbert
  • Reading - Chapter 19 - A Small Dose of Toxicology

• Nanotoxicology - lecture slides Wes Smith, PhD, UW
  • National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) - program established in fiscal year 2001 to coordinate Federal nanotechnology research and development.
  • Understanding Nanotech Risk Assessment
  • Nanotech - National Center For Environmental Research US EPA
  • A Nanotechnology Policy Framework: Policy Recommendations for Addressing Potential Health Risks from Nanomaterials in California. UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

• Respiratory Toxicology slides ppt (2.2 mgb) by Michael S. Morgan
  • Extra reading - Lung Toxicology Problem Set The Biology Project - Chemicals & Human Health]

• Pollution in People Lecture slides ppt (11.0 MB) S. Gilbert
  • Pollution in People A Study of Toxic Chemicals in Washingtonians by WTC
  • Earliest Exposures Washington Toxics Coalition tested nine pregnant women

• Melamine Risk Assessment slide presentation S. Wong
  • Wall Street Journal report
  • Melamine is known to cause renal toxicity in animals, which was discovered when melamine contaminated pet foods were released into the market. Renal Toxicity Study in Pets
  • Shortly after Melamine was linked to infant deaths in China, the World Health Organization released this statement: WHO Statement on Events in China

• Ethical, Legal, Social Issues - e-waste lecture slides by S. Gilbert
  • Article - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: Our Children's Future (PDF, longer paper on ethics, PP and children)
  • Ethical, Legal, Social and Professional Issues in Toxicology General and Applied Toxicology, Third Edition, and the Publisher (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.). The book at Wiley InterScience
  • e-Waste - Toxipedia with global map
  • Basel Action Network

 Additional Resources

• Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The statement, which has a glossary and over 200 references, was drafted and reviewed by a committee of scientists and health professionals and concludes:
  • "Given the established knowledge, protecting children from neurotoxic environmental exposures from the earliest stages of fetal development clearly is an essential public health measure if we are to help prevent learning and developmental disorders and create an environment in which children can reach and maintain their full potential."

• Policy Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental DisordersLDDIPolicyStatement.pdf A companion essay that outline policy changes to prevent Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

• The Responsibility Gap, article by Steven G. Gilbert published in Rachel's Democracy & Health News #913 June 28, 2007. Humans now have incredible power to reshape the environment and affect human health, but we have yet to fully acknowledge the responsibility that this implies. One area in which we need to take more responsibility is around the manufacture, use, and disposal of chemicals.

• ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Opportunities for Greater Focus, Direction, and Top-Level Commitment to Children's Health at EPA