ABSTRACT
The history of toxicology dates from ancient times and is a major theme in the development of chemistry. The ancient papyrus document titled “Ebers” dates from 1500
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. and contains the earliest known reference to the beneficial and toxic effects of a range of medicinal products. Other early references to toxic substances were by Hippocrates and Aristotle. It is interesting to note that the famous Roman historian Pliny, the Greek physician Nikander, and the Roman architect Vitravius all commented on the harmful effects of lead ingestion. Thus, this can be considered one of the earliest observations of harmful effects of chemicals in the environment.
