edited by MALCOLM M. RENFREW University of Idaho MOSCOW. Idaho 83843
A New Undergraduate Course: "Toxicology for Scientists and Engineers" John J. Fitzgerald South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD 57701
The impact of the exposure of humans and he ecosystem to environmental, occupaional, and consumer substances of an ad-
John J. Fitzgerald, who received his BS in chemistry from St. John's University (Mi* nesota, 1969). and his PhD in inorganic chemi~tryfrom Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, 1972). is currently an Associate Professor of Chemistry. South Dakota Schmi of Mines and Technology, Rapid City. SD. Hi$ research interests have centered around the natural functionalitv and tonicolop c nal.re of mera ans and rheir scmp exes in bolog cnl $,stems H s c.rrent educational course development efforts related to an introductory undergraduate toxicology course are supported by a National Science Foundatian-LOCI grant. He had made several ACS presentationson this course. its topical content and teaching elements in Las Vegas and Houston and was a speaker and panelist at the National ACS Symposium in Atlanta, 1981, an "Problems in Instituting Chemical Health and Safety Education in Colleges and Universities." Sponsoredjointly by the Division of Chemical Education and Division of Chemical Health an" Salary rle .s crrentiy cornplel nq a cwrse rnanmt relatea lo i r e 136 c 01 th I p w e r as * e as s.pp cmental s oe-tape programs for this course
verse toxicological nature is now a well-recognized issue which dramatically permeates virtuallv all areas of human activities and
occurrence, properties and harmful biological effects of chemicals (2). Included in this list of legislation are two most recently publicized laws, the Toxic Substance Control Act (TOSCA) of 1976 and the Mining Safety and Health Act (MSHA) of 1978. The scope of this legislation and the rapidly increasing research knowledge of toxie substances demand the development of a range of trained professionals and broader educational programs in taxicology ( 1 ). Toxicology is the science dealing with the adverse effects of chemical and physical agents on living systems ( 2 , 3 ) .Toxicology is distinctly broader than its classical definition: the "science of poisons." Its two major branches-occupational and environmental health-set only limited boundaries on a discipline which encompasses all adverse interactions between living organisms and their living (and working) environments. According t o the National Institutes of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), manpower needs in toxicology ( I ) , environmental health research, toxicity testing, and occuoational and environmental monitorine place, according to a recent report (4). Educat.iona1 courses in toxicology far the layman or science and engineering prafessionals outside the environmental and occupational health areas, are severely lacking a t this time. The situation is oarticularlv acute considered a recommendation "that every school offer a course in toxicology and safe handling of chemicals, available to both undergraduate and graduate students of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering." Such a course might be equally beneficial for engineers in material resource development (e.g., mining, metallurgical and geological engineering) and environmental control (sanitary and environmental engineering). Chemists, engineers, and technical professionals must directly face the consequences of toxic substance effects and lawslregula-
tions in the performance of their career functions. Young scientists and engineers must make personal assessments of their own occupational exposure. They must comprehend the significance of toxie substance management and handling. They must make design and engineering recommendations an the basis of toxie suhstanee regulations. They must also interface with multidiscinlinarv toxicolaeists. environmental health. and in-
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toxicology or environmental and occupational health. Short range solutions to this problem, particularly far working scientists and engineers, include the ACS short course "Toxicology for Chemists" and semindworkshops hy J. T. Baker Chemical (6) and the "National Hazard Control Institute" Workshop by Starson Corporation (7). These courses, however, are aimed a t the professional in the jab place. For the young undergraduate science and engineering student, therefore, educational needs in the broad aspects of toxicology are presently not heing met nationally. One such attempt, although not directed toward scientists and engineers, is a recent course a t the Universitv of California-Davis (8). This new
science majors. The course has "a current events in toxicology" emphasis, with limited focus on fundamentals of toxicology. The implementation of this course has provided an educational base for future societal understanding of issues of a toxicologicalnature, but does not serve the needs of technical professionals.
Implementation of a Toxicology Course In the Fall semester, 1979, an elective course, Chemistry 499, entitled "Toxicology for Scientists and Engineers" was initiated at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The appeal of the course was quite remarkable, with a n enrollment of 60 students from nine disciplines ranging from chemistry and chemical engineering to min(Continued on page A86)
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'l'he rminArgy anmr oiirred theae past two years h h pruvidrd a nrrdrd rducatiunal b a r I W these scirnrists and enginrers.
ing engineering. Table 1 summarizes the student constituency enrolled in the first two years by departmental categories as well as hy the three major target "fields of interest1 industry": chemical, environmental enai. neering and miniuglmineral processing. The course is recommended for junior and senior level undergraduates who have sufficient exposure to the primary areas of study and techniques of their disciplines. Their career identity and technical maturity enables them to focus an the multi-disciplinary facets of today's technology and to search out important toxicity issues relative to their careers. SDSM&T is an undergraduate institution embodying most of the national needs relating to toxicology education for developing scientists and engineers and is an ideal setting for the development of this course:
Table 1.
Enrollment in Toxicology Course (Fall, 1979-1980) Number of Students
By Department
Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering (EnvironmentalOption) Electrical Engineering Geological Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mining Engineering Metallurgical Engineering Science Chemistry Geology Mathematics Engineering Management Special Students By Flelds of
lntaraslllndustry ChemistryIChemical Engineering Civil (Environmental) Engineering MiningIMinerai Processing and Development Miscellaneous
Of its total enrollment of 2.000. . . ao. proximately 75% are science and engineering majors. A very large percentage (85%) of its B.S. graduates go directly into the national technical jeb market. Of the total B.S. graduates (500) over the last two years, over 60%are found in the three target "fields of interestlindustries" most dramatically affected by TOSCA and MSHA laws as well ss other past laws (OSHA, EPA, etc.) dealing with environmental and occupational concerns. A86
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lndYIiriai hY%i."~. ..ro%nition an* .on,ro, or polinliai induslriill ,oxins. Emphalir on conic iubi,anccr 8" the chcmlra,. mlBII"rai"d and mining induairlr%a. lhry ,cia,. la .nrironmm121, orcu~illionaland ronrvmi. ioxiCo,o$).. Pall, 80. Pllrgirnld 111)"II.
Figure 1. SDSM&TCourse Catalog descrbtion of to~i~obgy C O U ~
Course Doscription and Objectives A catalog description of the course, "Toxicoloevfor Scientists and Eneinerrs" is~ riven n ~ ~ -.--. ~. .. ~ in Figure 1.The three-credit elective course prerequisites include general chemistry and a minimal biology background, The primary course goal is to provide a general introduction in the science of toxicology, to present examoles of chemical toxicitv. .. and to orovide aoolications of toxicoloev relevant to scien-
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following topics.
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the principles of the study af toxic biological effects the "target organ" approach and the "oortd of entrv" eanceot ~, the range and dwr.rair) o f tlw toxic eiIruii.hrm~calsubsrancei the relnrlc,nahipofrhcnniral itnwturr ro toxic effects the use of toxicity listings and published toxic substance data the current animal toxicitv methods of
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sults the major toxicity legislation, the range of governmental agencies involved in environmental and occupational health affairs rhr lnult~dirciplinarvuaturr of man's a,wr.:.+tim with his native. c~mmrrrinl, and indurtrial~zrdrnvir~urnent specific focus on present toxicological concerns and future toxicity problems
These topics provide the students with the primary tools and perspective to evaluate potential toxic suhstances and their reported effects.The course stresses how the principles of toxicity may be applied to diverse chemical substances. Minimal emphasis is given to political, corporate, or puhlie origin of toxicity problems. Rather, specific examples of chemical toxicity, whether of major controversy or of literature significance, are discussed to illustrate toxic biological effects or to stress the ramifications of toxicology in specific industrial arenas. (Continued on page A88)
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Toxlcology for Scientists and Engineers (Week-by-Week Analysis) a
Table 2.
Course Structure The course structure is divided into four primary units as illustrated in Figure 2. In addition to this unit structure, a generalized topical breakdown, with needed class time within a 17-week semester, is given in Table 2.
INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL/SCOPE I. DrfiniLlon7 "1 Toricology I 1 Scopc of Toxicology
UNIT ONE BACKGROUND I . Analpmy Portals of Entry 11. Physiology I11 Normal Defenrei
UNIT TWO FUNDAMENALS OF TOXICOLOG' I . Terminology of Toxicology 11. Methods of Terling I l l . Toxic Subrtance Clairificatians A. Physical Slate B. Chemical Clariiiicalions C . Radialion/Olher Hazards
UNIT THREE LAWS, REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE I. 11.
Ill.
Laws and Rcgulalionr A~encies lndusrriai Hygiene
UNIT FOUR APPLICATIONS TO SCIENCE ANC ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES I. If.
Chemical Industry Mining/Melallurgy/Emergy Deuelopmmt I l l . Environmental Toxicity A. Air B. Walcr/Soil C. Aqualic IV. Drugs and canrvmer Produclr
Figure 2. Course structurelcantent for ''Toxicology for Scientists and Engineers."
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I ~h c < u u r . c i n r n , d ~ cr t n sectton p r ~ d c s the sttalrnt nith tealwuk and prart~cal drtinitwnc 01 the 3, lcnit ur tuuiruloov. 'l'hr historical development of the science-bftoxicology from Paracelsus' (1493-1541) introduction of the term "toxicon" to the experimental foundations laid by Orfila (17791853) are discussed (3).Present-day divisions of toxicology into three major branchesenvironmental, economic and forensic-are A88
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INTRODUCTION (One Week) I. Oeliniti?ns and Scope of Toxicology UNlT ONE-BACKGROUND (Three Weeks) I!. Anatomy Ill. Anatomy IV. Physiology 8 Cell Biology UNlT TWO-FUNDAMENTALS OF TOXICOLOGY (Six Weeks) V. Terminology of Toxicology-DoseIResponse1Route~of Exposure Vl. Methods of Study Vll. Methods of Study VIII. Toxic Substances-Classification by Exposure IX. Toxic Substances-Physical/Chemical Classes X. Toxic Substances-Radiation and Other Hazards UNIT THREE-LAWS, REGULATIONS, COMPLIANCE (One Week) XI. LegaI/Reg~lato~y/lndustriaIHygieneIRecognition UNlT FOUR-APPLICATIONS TO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES (Six Weeks) XII. Chemical Industry XIiI. Chemical Industry XIV. MiningIEnergy XV. Metallurgical Processing XVI. Environmentsl-Air,Water XVII. Environmental-Water Solid WastesIFaods, Drugs, Social Poisons enoman Numerals identihi the semester week relationship to topics discussed.
also addressed. Unit I, Background, covers important anatomy and physiology principles most relevant to toxicology. This unit provides the students with a working knowledge of major anatomy systems, the structure and function of key vital organs, and the physiological functions of biological organisms. The objective of this unit is to provide remedial material for those students lacking sufficient biology and anatomy coursework. The unit focuses largely upon the "target organ" approach and the "portal of entry" concept. The "target organ" system approach stresses the normal structure and function of the eleven organ systems delineated by NIESH (I), e.g., the skin, the lungs, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the cardiovascular system (CVS), the liver, the kidney, the immunity-allergy responses, the central nervous system (CNS) and others. Therelationship of these organ systems to normal homeostasis and adaption to toxic substances is stressed. Toxicity is, therefore, considered as "target organ" defined but is exercised aver the entire organism. The three major portals of entry-the skin, the lungs, and the GI traet-are reviewed in depth in this unit. Detailed discussion of the portals of entry provides knowledge of how chemical, biological and physical substances ~artieularlvthe enter hioloeical oreanisms. " human organism. The respiratory system is discussed in considerable depth, particularly the normal mechanisms of defense against gases and solids. The skin is also discussed from the viewpoint of its permeability. The organs of the GI system are reviewed, in-
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cluding the detoxification role of the liver and the absorption of substances through the GI system. To relate the three primary portals of entry to absorption, distribution and elimination (9). em~hasisis given to the CVS
the renal system are described. In essence, the first unit of the course reviews relevant anatomy and biology hackground to enable students to focus on key routes of entrv of toxic substances. to identifv
exwenous nuhdanren. I'nit 11, F ~ n d a n z u n r o l i,.f Tr.x,r,.lrp). i p the r ore m:t of rhii ,ourst. Ilnir 11 c u n s ~ t . of three major sections: terminology of toxicolow. methods of testine. and a classifiea-
chemical agents and summarizes various classification schemes for toxic substances. In the terminology section, a major concept stressed is the dose-res~onsecurve. Statistics rcl.nrd t u do-c-rcsponsc rww. .+rpdiiv~a..rd in depth h rnnjw WGI "1 this SCEt1O11 is i.miliarrzntiun with foxiriry tcrnms. Suvh terms are necessary to utilize and assess data in the Toxic Substance List (9, 10). The second section of this unit describes the various methods of testine of toxic substances. Ext c n s w USP u f mdustrv and yovcrnmcntal f~lrns31 mark. Acute and rhrvn~cstudic~arc d~dnguishctl.Thr di.cu,wn tlf methods of' testing emphasizes how the tests are performed, special apparatus needed (for example, inhalation chambers), and the selection of biological test organisms. The students receive an ex~erimentalfeel far haw toxii.olt.~yexperiment are prrfmnc, d t ~ s . 1)2 *r.atner~rs. ~ ~ , m ~ thy l . d l rxp,..un I I ~ I I . iur thc c. substances. Another assignment requires
preparation of a mini-paper summarizing a NIOSH criteria document (17) for an occupational substance af their choosing. The culminating activity of the course involves a research paper an one chemical substance or a series of chemical substances. This assignment requires the use of anatomy and physiology background, toxicity terms, and their understanding of testing methods. The paper summarizes the use of the substance, its synthesis, normal human exposure routes, its adverse effects, the toxicity dosage dependency and its mechanism of t,oxieity.
Criteria Required to Offer a Toxicology Course This description of this undergraduate toxicology course will allow various individuals guidance in the development of courses in toxicology. The major criteria required to implement a toxicology course, include: (1) the identification of an instructor with appropriate expertise and desire, (2) the definition of specific teaching objectives as dictated by the university setting and potential student constituency, and (3) the development of resources needed to ~ r o v i d ethe ed-
university or in a science and engineering university. Unit IV would represent the mast variable component of the course, and its content would he dictated by the student constituency. If the course is oriented toward chemistry and chemical engineering majors only, i t is recommended that the present format be followed excluding the mining and
energy development arr35. .A1 in.tilutions where cnr~nmmrntalrngincrrs or scirnttst> represent a significant component of those enrolled, a detailed examination of environmental water, air, and soil pollutants and aquatic and terrestrial toxicology is suggested.
Future Direction The undergraduate toxicology course just described represents a new and potentially important undergraduate course offering for young developing scientists and engineers. The course development is clearly at the initial stages, although the topical content and unit structural approach have heen defined. Future course development requires the writing of a course manual since no textbooks are presently available to suitably meet the needs of an undergraduate toxicology course. In addition, the development of specific slidetape programs to augment the course would he a valuahle asset. A critical process to implement a course is the identification of library resources which would adeauatelv suonlement the "selected topic n&e" ofthiskurse. Kev lihrarv resources requlr~dinclud~:selrcred gwernmmt d w untrnti, including the ' l ' v r ~huustancrs Li-1 (10, 1 1 1 , NIOSH Criltria L)ocument.. ,1?1. and various graduate-level toxicology text b w k > on lihrar). rrwrvr a; supplemental rmdmy. Cumpntrr T a x - l m e scan hing capalnlitirs w~.uldalso allow thc srudcnt t o rlem intv the toxicity litcr:ature. Mnns of thpar rcsourcea arc arailahlr in large univrrsity litwarips aud juqt nwd robe r l m t i f ~ c ~ l both the lorat~unand a w l a l d i t y ~ Futurr . ~~~
developments of undergraduate toxicology courses for scientists and engineers will continue to take place. I t is expected that important symposiums will occur in the future to guide the development of toxicology courses such as the one described here, or other courses on chemical health and safety.
"More Universities Offering Major in Toricolo~: Chrm & Eng. Neus, 24 (March 26,19791. "Committee on Professions1 Reiationa Develops Statement on Hazardous Substances: Chem. & En#. News, 36-37 (September 17,1979). B"uetin-"AlaoDay HszardousChemicalsseminsr and Workshop:J.T.Baker, Co., June, 1979. Bulletin-"Advanced Hazardous Materials Safety Camse," National Hazards Contiol InstituteDKsian, Starson Corporation. Nov.. 1978.
Acknowledgment The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of a number of toxicology labs, including Dow Chemical, Midland, Michigan; Dupont, Wilmington, Delaware; Dow C o r ning, Midland, Michigan; and the Chemistry Industries Institute of Toxicology in Research Triangle, North Carolina, for their hospitality during a summer tour of their facilities. The author acknowledgesa special thanks to Dr. Ken Olsen. Dow Chemical. for his dunation of a Toxirulo:~ I.~lwaturytilm us wrll as tt> hlr. Ed H h b i . I)ow i'mtin: Toxicology Labs, for his invaluable critique of the tooical content of this course. Finally, the author acknawledees recent sunnort of the development of thl's course from; LOCI grant from the National Science Foundation.
~c.I. ~ ~ M ~ ~ ~ ' v ~ I : I I . . P ~ ~ ~ Common Toxic Chemicals? Biomedical Publications. -......, , ...-. Christensen, H. E., and Luginhyhl, T. T. (Editors), "The Tode Substances List," U S Departmoll of HEW, National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health. Rockville, Md., HEW Publication No. (NIOSHI 74-134 (1974). Lewis. R. J. (Editorl. "Reeistm of Toxic Effects of
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Literature Cited (11 '"HumanHealth andthe Enwonment: Some Research Needs,"U.S.Dep8xtment of HEW, Nathnal InstitutPs of Environmental Health Sciences, DHEW Publication No. NIH 77~1277,Dec..1976. (2) Cssarett, Louis, and Doull. John (Editors),"Tmieol~ om:The Basic Science of Poisons." MscMillan Publishing Co., Inc,New York. 1975. (3) Loomis, Ted A,, "Essentiala of Taxiculogy: 3rd Ed., Lea and Febiger, Philadelphis, 1978.
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