Chemical influencing toxicity
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES- chemicals are inherently toxic due
to to its chemical structure.
EXPOSURE ROUTE- the WAY a chemical enters the body (eg.
Inhalation, ingestion) affect its toxicity.
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP- toxicity often increases
with higher exposure levels,
DURATION AND FREQUENCY- long term and repeated
exposure may to different levels
INDIIDUAL SUSCEPTIBILITY- factors (age, gender) make
individual more or less vulnerable to toxicity
MEASURING TOXICITY
LD50 (lethal dose 50)- 50% test population is sensitive: oral
dose: 1-2 hours
LC50 (lethal concentration 50)- concentration that killl 50% of
the test population
-most common use
-concentration in air
Laboratory toxicity test- expose organism and observe their
response.
Acute effects- caused by single exposure and result
immediate crisis -can survive through acute reaction because
the effect is REVERSIBLE
Chronic effect- effects become permanent- long lasting
vulnerabilities
FACTORS RELATED TO TOXIC AGENT
Chemical composition & reactivity
Physical characteristics
Presence of impurities/contaminant
Stability & storage characteristics of a toxic agent
Availability of vehicle to carry agent
Movement of agent through the environment and into cell
FACTORS RELATED TO EXPOSURE
Dose
Route, rate, and site of exposure
Duration & frequency of exposure
Time of exposure
FACTORS RELATED TO ORGANISM
Storage, cell permeability of agent
Ability to metabolize, inactivate,sequester, or eliminate the
agent
Alter substances to become toxic
Concurrent infection & infection physical or chemical stress
Species and genetic characteristics of an organism
Nutritional status
Sex, body weight, age, maturity, and immunological status
SOLUBILITY -essential for determining how, where, and when
a material will move through the environment
- includes body as its place of action
CLASSIFICATION:
*oil-soluble=need a carrier to move
*water-soluble=move rapidly
EXPOSURE- airborne=causes more ill-health
RISK ASSESSMENT- result of suffering harm or loss by hazard
Process of estimating the threat that hazard pose to human
health
Identified toxicity hazard:
O collection & analysis of site data
O development of exposure & risk calculations
O preparation of human health & ecological impact
EXPOSURE ASSESSMET
Process of estimating, measuring, characterizing, and
modelling the ff:
Magnitude
Frequency
Duration
Route of exposure
TOXICITY ASSESSMENT- weighs all available evidence and
estimates the potential for adverse effects to occur
4 step risk assessment process
1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION- evaluate if any situation may
have the potential to cause harm - determine whether
exposure is likely to cause harm
2. DOSE-RESPONSE ASSESSMENT- identify relationship
between the dose of a chemical and health effects on people.
- rsults of exposure have different illnesses or symptoms and
are recorded for varying doses.
3. EXPOSURE APPRAISAL- evaluate duration, frequency, and
intensity of the exposure to a particular chemicals or toxins.
-discusses the nature, size, and types of population exposed
to the agent.
4. RISK CHARACTERISTICS- specify health ris by magnitude of
health issues and concerns identifying the potential hazard 7
determining how the body responds to different level of
exposure.
TOLERANCE- ability to resist or withstand stress from
exposure to pollutant
Behavioral tolerance- changes in behavior (mice learn to
avoid traps)
Physiological tolerance- body of an individual adjust to
tolerate a higher level of pollutant.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Agriculture- science and art of growing plants and other
crops.
Negative impact of agri on envi= *land transformation- due
to the use of land to yield goods and services. Forest>park;
wetlands>rice fields
* land degradation- long term decline in ecosystem.
Function and productivity such as: soil erosion, soil
exhaustion, soil salinization, overgrazing, frequent burning,
loss of soil biodiversity
PESTICIDES - chemical that kill pests, usually a toxic chemical;
drive pest away
Biocide- kill wide range of living things
Herbicide-chemical that kill plants
Insecticide-kill insects
Fungicide-kill fungi
TYPES OF PESTS
Organophosphates:
Definition: Synthetic pesticides widely used in agriculture.
Key Points: Highly effective, but can be toxic to humans and 6. Profits farmers economically
non-target species. Glyphosate is a prominent example, 7. Preserves social equity
known as Roundup.

Organochlorines:
Definition: Pesticides containing chlorine atoms.
Key Points: Highly toxic and persistent, affecting sensitive
organisms. Atrazine, historically used in the U.S., is an
example.

Fumigants:
Definition: Small molecular compounds, often in gaseous
form, used for pest control.
Key Points: Effective for soil penetration. Used to control
fungus in low-growing crops and prevent infestations in
stored grain.

Inorganic Pesticides:
Definition: Pesticides made from toxic elements like sulfur,
copper, arsenic, and mercury.
Key Points: Highly poisonous, indestructible, and
environmentally persistent. Historically used in orchard
crops.

Natural Organic Pesticides (Botanicals):

Definition: Pesticides derived from plant extracts.
Key Points: Examples include nicotine, pyrethrum,
turpentine, and aromatic oils. Toxic to insects and may
prevent wood decay.

Microbial Agents and Biological Controls:

Definition: Use of living organisms or their toxins for pest
control.
Key Points: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a natural soil
bacterium used in organic farming. Produces toxins that
target specific pests, sparing non-target species.

IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON AGRICULTURE

1. GLOBAL WARMING
2. HEAVY RAINFALL
3. FLOOD
4. ACID RAI
5. WIND EROSION
6. LANDSLIDE

DRAWBACK OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICLTURE

Limited use of land
It takes more work
Shorter shelf life
Less fertile lands
Lower income

FOOD & NUTRITION

850 million people are chronically hungry
Lacking the recommended 2,200 Kcal (kilocalorie) per day
Poverty-greatest threat to food security

ADVANTAGES OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

1. Contribtes to environmental conservation
2. Prevents pollution
3. Reduces cost
4. Keep biodiversity
5. Respect the environment