FACTORS

AFFECTING
TOXICITY

GROUP 4
1. Jolvyin Oryin Suli (031911020)
2. Muhammad Fadli Rosandhi (031911031)
3. Aspriyani W. A. N. Annisaaa (031911019)
 Factors Affecting Toxicity

The amount of a toxin that reaches the target tissue is dependent upon four factors :
1. Absorption
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Excretion.
These four in combination govern the degree of toxicity, if any, from chemical exposure.

Symb
ol of
Toxic
 1. ABSORPTION

Absorption is defined as passage of a chemical across a membrane into the body. There
are four major factors that affect absorption and subsequent distribution, metabolism,
and excretion :
(1) Size of the molecule
(2) Lipid solubility
(3) Electrical Charge
(4) Cell Membrane carrier molecules (Kent, 1998).

Until a chemical is absorbed, toxic effects are only rarely observed and then only at
points of contact with the body, for the example, acid burns on the skin (Stelljes, 2000).

Ex :
 2. DISTRIBUTION

Once a chemical is absorbed into the body, it is distributed to certain organs via the blood
stream (circulatory system). The rate of distribution to each organ is related to the blood
flow through the organ, the ease with which the cemical crosses the local capillary wall
and the cell membrane, and the affinity of components of the organ for the toxin (Lu and
Kacew, 2002).
 3. METABOLISM

Metabolism is the sum of all physical and chemical

changes that take place in an organism, includes the
breakdown of substance, formation of new substance,
and changes in the energy content of cell. Metabolism
can either increase or decrease the toxicity, but
typically increase the water solubility of a chemical,
which leads to increase excretion ( Stelljes, 2000)
 4. EXCRETION

Excretion is defined as elimination from the body, either as

urine, feces or through sweat or tears. The rate at which
excretion of toxic substance occurs is important in
determining the toxicity of a substance. The faster a
substance is eliminated from the body, the more unlikely a
biological effect will be (kent, 1998)
 Other Factors Affecting Toxicity

Other Factors Affecting Toxicity include :

 Rate of entry and route of exposure; that is, how fast is the toxic does is delivered and by
what means
 Age, which can affect the capacity to repair damage.
 Previous exposure, which can lead to tolerance, increased sensivity, or make no difference.
 State of health, medication, physical condition and life style. Pre-existing disease result in
increased sensitivity
 Host factors including genetic predisposition and the sex of the exposed individual.