What Methods are Used in Toxicological Assessment?
Various methods and tools are employed in toxicological assessment:
- Animal Testing: Traditional toxicological assessments often involve animal models to predict human responses. These tests provide valuable data on acute, sub-chronic, and chronic toxicity. - In Vitro Methods: Cell-based assays and other in vitro techniques are increasingly used to reduce reliance on animal testing. These methods are crucial for high-throughput screening of potential toxicants. - Computational Toxicology: Advances in computational models and bioinformatics have enabled the prediction of toxicological effects through quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and other algorithms. - Epidemiological Studies: Observational studies in human populations provide real-world data on the health effects of exposure to toxic substances. These studies are invaluable for understanding long-term and low-dose exposures.
