Course Description and Material

Do you want to learn more about the principles of toxicology and the health effects of chemical exposures? You will benefit from "A Small Dose of Toxicology," a basic course based on the book A Small Dose of Toxicology by Steven G. Gilbert.

The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Hazards and risks of exposure are evaluated and put into perspective by exploring chemicals encountered in everyday life. You will learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body, and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others.

More information on the book, including PowerPoint presentations for each chapter, is available on the A Small Dose of ... website and on the book flyer (PDF file).

• Course outline and overview download (Word file)
  • A Small Dose of Toxicology clickable poster (0.4 MB PDF file)
  • Milestones of Toxicology clickable poster (1.4 MB PDF file)

• Session Welcome Welcome slides ppt (2.1 MB)

• Introduction to Toxicology Lecture 1 slides ppt (4.7 MB)

• A Small Dose of Neurotoxicology Lecture 2 slides ppt (2.4 MB)

• A Small Dose of Lead Lecture 3 slides ppt (2.4 MB)
  • Article Lead 10 to 2 reading 1 (0.3 MB)
  • Supplemental - A Small Dose of Lead & Mercury Sup Lecture 3 (3.6 MB)

• A Small Dose of Reproductive & Developmental Toxicology Lecture 4 slides ppt (3.0 MB)

• Pollution in People Lecture 5 slides ppt (9.0 MB)

• Precautionary Assessment - Beyond Risk Assessment Lecture 6 slides ppt (1.2 MB)
  • Article - Public Health and the Precautionary Principle(1-page PDF on the Precautionary Principle)
  • Article - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: Our Children's Future (PDF, longer paper on ethics, PP and children)
  • Article - Precautionary Assessment: Beyond Risk Assessment (PDF, details on precautionary assessment)
  • Spreadsheet - Precautionary Assessment Criteria (Excel file)

 Additional Resources

• Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The statement, which has a glossary and over 200 references, was drafted and reviewed by a committee of scientists and health professionals and concludes:
  • "Given the established knowledge, protecting children from neurotoxic environmental exposures from the earliest stages of fetal development clearly is an essential public health measure if we are to help prevent learning and developmental disorders and create an environment in which children can reach and maintain their full potential."

• The Responsibility Gap, article by Steven G. Gilbert published in Rachel's Democracy & Health News #913 June 28, 2007. Humans now have incredible power to reshape the environment and affect human health, but we have yet to fully acknowledge the responsibility that this implies. One area in which we need to take more responsibility is around the manufacture, use, and disposal of chemicals.