Study of Acute, Sub-Acute and Chronic Toxicity as per OECD Guidelines

Toxicity is the quality, state, or relative degree of being harmful, as measured by the toxicity level. Because the potency of some chemical agents decreases over time, it is impossible to say how hazardous the stocks are.

In other words, toxicity measures the amount of a substance required to harm a living creature. It starts to harm people when drugs get in a high dose. Toxicity is a chemical property which can be dangerous to health.

Determining Toxicity

There are many ways of determining toxicity. We know that different people react to the same amount of a chemical depending on various parameters such as gender, age, and body weight.

Toxicity can be measured by the following procedures:

• Lethal dose

• Fixed-dose procedure

• Parts per million

• Mouse bioassay for shellfish

• Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Xenobiotics induced toxic effects are shown by accelerating consequences that are unfavourable as compared to normal conditions.

Sodium cyanide, for example, is more lethal than sodium chloride (table salt) because even a small amount of cyanide can kill you.

There are three types of toxicity:

1. Physical: Some things that many people do not associate with the term toxicity are direct blows, concussion, sound and vibration, heat and cold, and non-ionising electromagnetic radiation are all examples of toxicity.

2. Chemical: Inorganic substances like lead, hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine gas, as well as organic compounds like methyl alcohol, most pharmaceuticals, and poisons from living creatures, are all examples.

3. Biological: Bacteria and viruses that can cause disease in living organisms are included. Due to the maximum dose, measuring biological toxicity is complicated.

OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a global organisation dedicated to developing better policies for better lives. Its mission is to promote policies that encourage prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all people.

The OECD has been a source of evidence-based policy analysis and economic data for more than 50 years. The US collaborates with other members to strengthen transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, and responsiveness to member priorities in the OECD.

The OECD Guidelines for Chemical Testing are a compilation of the most relevant internationally approved testing procedures used by governments, industry, and independent laboratories to determine chemical safety.

Acute Toxicity as per OECD Guideline

In March 1996, the original Guideline 423 was adopted as a second alternative to the traditional acute toxicity test specified in Test Guideline 401.

Acute oral toxicity refers to the unfavourable effects that occur after a single dose of a chemical is taken, or repeated doses are taken within 24 hours.

Up-and-Down procedure performed for Acute Oral Toxicity determines LD50 by a confidence interval. The results allow a compound to be classed for acute toxicity by the Globally Harmonised System of chemical classification and labelling.

Sub-Acute Toxicity as per OECD Guideline

In 1981, the first sub-acute inhalation Test Guideline 412 was established. It was updated in 2009 to reflect current scientific knowledge and meet current and future regulatory requirements.

Sub-acute inhalation toxicity studies are generally used to see the regulation amounts for assessing worker risk in workplaces. They’re also used to examine and identify human residential, consumer, transportation, and environmental risks.

Unlike acute investigations, there are no established limit concentrations in sub-acute inhalation toxicity studies. The limited concentration should cause unequivocal toxicity in the animals without causing them undue stress or reducing their longevity.

The main sub-acute toxicity research usually includes three concentration levels and any necessary negative (air) and/or vehicle controls.

Chronic Toxicity as per OECD Guideline

These chronic toxicity studies intend to evaluate a substance’s profile in a species of mammals in prolonged and frequent exposure. Rodents and oral administration are the emphases of the Test Guideline. Both sexes should participate.

Chronic toxicity is produced by an animal’s persistent exposure to a dangerous substance for a significant percentage of its life cycle or the entirety of its life span.

Guideline 452 was first adopted in 1981. To incorporate present changes in the realm of animal welfare and regulatory needs, an updated TG 452 was deemed required.

Negative Health Effects

Toxicity is a broad term that refers to the negative effects of poisons. These side effects can range from minor headaches or nausea to severe symptoms such as coma, convulsions, and death.

Conclusion

Thus, the extent to which a substance (such as a toxin or poison) can cause harm to humans or animals is toxicity. Acute toxicity refers to harmful effects in an organism caused by a single or brief exposure.

The OECD Guidelines for Chemical Testing are a one-of-a-kind tool for evaluating the potential effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are government recommendations on responsible business practices for multinational corporations. The OECD Guidelines establish standards for responsible business behaviour in various areas, including human rights, labour rights, and environmental protection.