What is a chronic toxicity test? Regular toxicity testing is defined as tests that characterize toxic effects after repeated administration of a compound over an extended period, often over decades. The duration of such a test depends on the expected human or environmental toxicity of the mixture. Most chronic toxicity tests require animals to remain uninfected for a certain amount of time after treatment with a test compound to determine toxicity. Some tests may even be performed on non-infected animals to determine toxicity after the animal is infected with a pathogen causing acute toxicity.
Chronic toxicity testing is performed on a wide variety of chemical substances. A number of these substances are synthetic in origin, and other chemicals are naturally occurring. In the past, few standards have been in place for chemicals used in the manufacture of cosmetics. This lack of standardization has led to a lack of regulation, and exposure to some toxic substances is more significant than others. As a result, there is a need for toxicology services in this field.
Most chemicals toxic to humans are water-soluble and do not attach to cell walls. Therefore, they are dispersed into the environment in the gaseous form during vaporization or through rainfall. They are then deposited in landfills, where millions of tons of them accumulate every year. They can also be released into the air when manufacturing chemicals are used or when wastewater is disposed of.
It is estimated that millions of chemicals pass through our environment every day without us ever knowing their effects on our health. Nearly one hundred thousand new chemical compounds are introduced to the world each year. Unfortunately, much of this chemical and hazardous material is released into the atmosphere or waterways. Many of these chemicals become airborne when emissions are emitted into the atmosphere or when solid materials such as oil or coal are burned. Many chemicals become airborne when plants are sprayed with pesticides. This pollution results in the accumulation of chemicals in the soil, in the air, in the water, and in our bodies.
Chronic toxicity testing can be used to assess the toxicity of commonly used chemicals in a wide variety of industries. Long-duration exposure to a chemical with no symptoms can indicate that the chemical has a high potential for causing adverse health effects. Chronic toxicity testing can also be used to determine the toxicity of pharmaceuticals in humans. This type of testing is also helpful in deciding toxicity in animals and under specific conditions. Some states also allow testing of drugs in services to assess potential drug hazards to unborn fetuses.
Many toxic substances and chemicals pose a risk to human health if they are continuously exposed to them over an extended period. Testing chronic toxicity allows scientists to determine the degree of exposure and how long a person may be exposed to toxic substances or chemicals. It can also be used to establish the frequency of repetitive exposures and the amount of cumulative toxic exposure that would be expected to occur throughout someone's lifetime and thus allow for proper research and regulatory control. Many toxic chemicals and substances have been regulated through periodic evaluation and periodic reporting so that human health can be maintained at reasonable levels. The goal is to control toxic chemicals and substances to prevent diseases and illnesses that may arise from exposure to hazardous substances and harmful chemicals.