ABSTRACT
The environmental toxicologist must be aware of a vast array of potentially toxic substances produced by animals and plants. Venomous lizards have grooved teeth with four venom glands on each side of the mandible that supply the teeth with venom from the dorsal surface. Venomous animals are those creatures which produce a poison in a highly-developed gland or group of cells and inject the substance into another animal or plant by a bite or sting. Only a relatively small number of arthropods are sufficiently venomous to be a health hazard to humans. Only a few species of mammals are venomous. The majority of plant intoxications in the US occur from the ingestion of plants that contain gastroenteric irritants. Several plants in the US contain atropine or atropine-related alkaloids. Nitrates accumulate in the vegetative tissues especially in the stalk of certain plants. In general, dermatotoxic plants cause irritation, blistering, pain, and itching.
