Toxicology Answers

Toxicological Profiles are a unique compilation of toxicological information on a given hazardous substance. Each profile reflects a comprehensive and extensive evaluation, summary, and interpretation of available toxicologic and epidemiologic information on a substance. Health care providers treating patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances will find the following information helpful for fast answers to often-asked questions. 

Chapter 1 Public Health Statement The Public Health Statement can be a useful tool for educating patients about possible exposure to a hazardous substance. It explains a substance s relevant toxicologic properties in a nontechnical, question-and-answer format, and it includes a review of the general health effects observed following exposure. 

The requirements arising from the regulation and the need to better characterize the toxicological, eco-toxicological and environmental properties of an increasing number of chemicals have the consequence of an increased number of animal experiments, to provide answer to these data needs [1],... 

Pristine CNTs are hydrophobic and cause a lack of solubility in biological aqueous fluids such as blood. The poor solubility of CNTs in blood stream poses a major challenge to in vivo studies making behavior of CNTs difficult to predict and control (Kam et al., 2005 Zheng et al., 2003a, b). Therefore, modification of CNT surface to introduce hydrophilic, functional groups has been utilized in pharmaceutical applications (Lacerda et al., 2006). However, insufficient in vivo evaluation of both pristine and surface-modified CNTs has been performed to answer essential questions on CNT toxicology. Additional in vivo studies also required to devise the best method of administration, means of uptake, metabolism, and elimination of CNTs. The in vivo studies on CNTs performed to date are presented in Table 12.2. 

Some articles, for example, include an identical table of effective and lethal doses of high potency Fentanyl derivatives. The estimated safety margins are as high as 30,000. I could find no source for these data. I sent out several inquiries but thus far have received no definitive answers. I also discussed the questions with Harry Salem, who continues to study the toxicology of opioids at Edgewood. He is hopeful that the concomitant use of drugs tailored to suppress the effect of potent opioids on respiration may produce much safer agents. 

When the lEC meets to review the protocol, it is advisable for a senior toxicologist and the principal investigator to be available to answer questions if required. Of course, members of the committee may have access to any other company documents, such as toxicology reports, if they desire. More detail about the design of such studies is provided in Section 4.7. 

It is not known if HDI affects reproductive tissues in males or females however, given its short half-life in biological fluid, this seems unlikely. HDI has been reported to bind to biological tissues (protein) (Ted and Pesce 1979) however, the relevance of this observation to reproductive toxicity is not known. The toxicity of the HDI metabolite (HDA) is not known. Toxicological studies should be designed to answer questions about the potential reproductive toxicity of HDI or its prepolymers in both male and female himians and laboratory animals. 

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