ENVS3741 Public Health and Environmental Toxicology

Professor Kirstin Ross

2016

4.5

2 x 50-minute lectures weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly
4 x 3-hour practicals per semester
1 x 1-hour on-line exercises fortnightly

This topic focuses on the effects of chemicals on individuals and communities as well as the influence of chemicals on ecosystems, and explores the role of toxicology in risk assessment and chemical regulation. This topic explains the principles of toxicology applied to environmental chemicals. This includes the nature of chemical toxicants, pathways of exposure, absorption and distribution and the role of detoxification and elimination processes in modifying toxic responses. Factors that contribute to individual predisposition to harmful effects of chemicals is also examined.

The aims for this topic are for students to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of toxicology and the nature of chemical interactions with living systems
Critically examine the sources of chemicals in the environment and the pathways by which humans and ecosystems may be exposed
Understand how toxic effects of chemicals may be identified and measured
Apply toxicological knowledge to the evaluation of scenarios to establish the potential role of chemical toxicants in reported or observed adverse effects
Appreciate how chemicals are regulated in their common use

At the completion of this topic, students are expected to be able to:

Identify the main toxicological processes associated with environmental chemicals
Understand the mechanisms by which these processes lead to negative human and environmental outcomes
Generalise local, regional and global toxicological processes in the environment-society interface
Understand the importance of toxicology in a risk assessment framework

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2016 are no longer published.

This information is from current details held on the Student Information System. Please report any errors or omissions to the relevant College Office.