Why is Elemental Composition Important in Toxicology?
Understanding elemental composition is important for several reasons:
Risk Assessment: Knowledge of elemental composition helps in assessing the risk of exposure to toxic substances. For instance, lead and mercury are well-known for their toxicity, and their presence in materials can pose significant health risks.
Regulation and Compliance: Regulations often specify allowable concentrations of certain elements in consumer products and the environment. Understanding elemental composition helps ensure compliance with these standards.
Forensic Analysis: Elemental analysis can be used in forensic toxicology to identify unknown substances and determine cause of exposure or poisoning.