A toxicologist is a scientist who studies the effects of chemicals on human health and identifies, controls, and prevents them. Others conduct laboratory experiments on chemical samples, while others conduct field research in natural environments and industrial settings. Scientists also assist doctors in making diagnoses for patients who have been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. A toxicologist may work in a hospital laboratory, university, government agency, or private research organization, depending on the type of work he or she does.
Toxic substances and radioactive material are studied research scientists in the field and in the lab. They also look into the physical and chemical properties of different substances, as well as the effects pollutants have on the environment and the dangers they pose to humans and animals. Researchers keep meticulous notes and journals, use proven scientific methods, and write detailed reports about their findings. Many toxicologists work in government agencies, assisting in the development of new industry standards and environmental protection laws.
Clinical toxicology is concerned with the application of chemical research to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. In a hospital laboratory, a toxicologist examines blood and tissue samples for traces of poisons, pharmaceuticals, and other foreign chemicals. He or she gives doctors the results so that they can make accurate diagnoses and treat patients appropriately.
Many aspects of toxicology are specialized and combine clinical and research elements. When poisoning or drug overdoses are suspected, forensic toxicologists, for example, assist in autopsies to determine the cause of death. They use their skills to assist in the resolution of criminal cases, and they are frequently summoned to court to present their findings. A pharmaceutical company may also hire a skilled toxicologist to test the safety and efficacy of new medications before they are widely distributed. To fully understand the components and effects of various drugs, he or she conducts laboratory research and supervises clinical trials.
To become a toxicologist, you’ll need a broad scientific background, and most working professionals have doctoral degrees in chemistry, molecular biology, or environmental science. Furthermore, some research universities offer toxicology specialty degrees that prepare students for the type of work they want to do. A new toxicologist usually begins his or her career in a postdoctoral fellowship or as a research assistant after earning a Ph.D. to gain practical experience. An assistant has the opportunity to learn techniques from seasoned professionals, ensuring that he or she is fully prepared for self-employment.
With experience and demonstrated abilities, a new scientist is given more responsibilities and is given the opportunity to organize original research studies. Toxicologists with a lot of experience have a lot of opportunities for advancement, and many of them go on to become lead researchers or independent consultants. Some toxicologists choose to become university professors in order to pass on their knowledge to future generations of scientists and to have more research freedom in school labs.