We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Environmental Toxicology?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,520
Share

Environmental toxicology is the scientific study of the effects of chemicals on the environment. Specifically, environmental toxicologists research how natural and man-made pollutants impact the health of humans, wildlife, and whole ecosystems. Professionals collect living and nonliving samples from a particular area, study their physical and chemical makeup, and determine the degree of contamination. Environmental toxicology research not only adds to the collective knowledge about pollutants, but studies can also help land developers and protection agencies make better decisions regarding environmental policy.

The general discipline of toxicology has historically focused strictly on human health. Toxicologists perform blood tests, biopsies, and autopsies to identify different chemicals in the body and gauge their effects on body tissue. Environmental toxicology involves much of the same work, but studies are typically broader in scope. Environmental toxicologists test soil, water, and air samples to look for the source pollution, and use their findings to better understand health impacts on native species.

Many environmental toxicologists specialize by working with a particular type of ecosystem, species, or pollutant. A researcher might, for example, focus his or her studies on the effects of an oil spill on marine life. He or she might begin a research project by identifying the various carcinogens in an oil sample and predicting the consequences the chemicals may have on organisms. The researcher would then measure the saturation of oil at many different ocean sites, collect biological samples from each, and compare predictions with experimental findings. Results are typically organized into an official report that can be reviewed by other toxicologists.

There are many important practical applications of environmental toxicology. The findings of toxicologists are commonly used by government agencies to set new pollution control standards. Nonprofit conservation groups often consult with environmental toxicology experts to analyze the severity of damage in an ecosystem and develop the smartest ways to go about cleaning it up. Land development companies may also work with toxicologists to make sure that clearing and construction efforts are as environmentally-friendly as possible.

In order to begin a career in environmental toxicology, a person usually needs to obtain at least a bachelor's degree. A four-year degree in environmental science, biology, or chemistry may be sufficient to become a field researcher. An individual who wants to design and lead independent studies typically needs a PhD in environmental toxicology and several years of postdoctoral fellowship training. Experienced scientists enjoy fulfilling, exciting careers and spur positive changes in the public's outlook on environmental protection.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-environmental-toxicology.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.