ABSTRACT
Environmental toxicology deals with the effects of environmental toxicants on health and the environment. Environmental toxicants are agents released into the general environment that can cause adverse effects on the health of living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. The study of environmental toxicology stems from the recognition that (a) human survival depends on the well-being of other species and on the availability of clean air, water, and food; and (b) anthropogenic chemicals as well as naturally occurring chemicals can cause detrimental effects on living organisms and ecological processes. The study of environmental toxicology is thus concerned with how environmental toxicants, through their interaction with humans, animals, and plants, influence the health and welfare of these organisms.
