VTPEH 6179

Toxicology in Public Health

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2024-2025.

Toxicology is the study of adverse impacts of chemicals on living organisms and ecosystems. The importance of toxicology to public health was realized by English surgeon Percival Pott, who realized that men who worked as chimney sweeps were at high risk of cancer, what was later identified as squamous cell carcinoma. The continuing importance of public health toxicology is illustrated by recent high-profile incidents including the water crises in Flint Michigan due to lead and in Toledo, Ohio due to natural toxins, and air quality-related health issues caused by wildfires in western US states and by vinyl chloride due to a train crash in Ohio. This class will discuss the basic principles of toxicology, physiologic and public health impacts, and public health toxicology in practice.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: MPH students; graduate and undergraduate students with permission of instructor.

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