Edith Cowan University and The Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment (ECU/ACTRA)

Short Course on the “Principles of Applied Toxicology” (PAT).

https://www.ecu.edu.au/short-courses/medical-health-sciences/principles-of-applied-toxicology

Course Overview

The short course is designed to provide a sound introduction to applied toxicology for people interested in or requiring a practical understanding of Human Environmental Health Toxicology as applied to public health and occupational health. It is designed primarily to help people who need to understand, interpret or write health risk assessments, provide toxicological-based advice and understand how to use and interpret health-based guidelines/standards. 

Prior knowledge of toxicology is not required; however, the course presumes graduate-level scientific literacy.

Course Content

The material covers practical information helpful to registrants working in contaminated sites,  pesticide safety, risk assessment, chemical hazards and risks, risk communication.

The General Principles of Toxicology

• History of toxicology
• Principles of toxicology
• Mechanisms of toxicology
• Applications of toxicology

Introduction to Exposure, Toxicokinetics, and Toxicodynamics

• Introduction to the disposition of toxicants
• Absorption, biotransformation, distribution and excretion
• Basic toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics

Introduction to Toxic Agents

• Toxicity of natural toxins
• Toxicity of pesticides
• Toxicity of organic solvents and volatile organic compounds
• Toxicity of metals

Target Organs and Systems – Introduction

• Toxic responses of the kidney
• Toxic responses of the liver
• Toxic responses of the gastrointestinal tract
• Toxic responses of the haematopoietic system
• Toxic responses of the immune system
• Toxic responses of the cardiovascular system
• Toxic responses of the respiratory system
• Toxic responses of the skin
• Toxic responses of the nervous system
• Toxic responses of the eye and ear
• Toxic responses of the reproductory system
• Toxic responses of the endocrine system

Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis

• Introduction to carcinogenicity
• Introduction to mutagenicity and genotoxicity

Sampling and Monitoring for Health Exposure Assessment, Case Study

• Samling and monitoring principles for public health exposure
• Samling and monitoring principles for occupational exposure
• Air quality case study
• Workplace case study

Health Risk Assessment with Case Studies

• Introduction to health risk assessment
• Risk assessment framework
• What not to do
• Role of toxicology in risk assessment
• Risk communication
• Risk management
• Case studies for public health
• Case study for occupational health

Introduction to Standard Setting, TRVs and Working with a Toxicologist

• What are health-based standards and guidelines
• How are health-based standards and guidelines derived
• How are health-based standards and guidelines used in risk assessment
• Differences between standards and guidelines used for public health and occupational health
• How to work with environmental health toxicologists in public and occupational health.

Learning Outcomes

On completing this course successfully, the registrant will have a basic knowledge and understanding of :

• The value of toxicology in risk assessment for public and occupational health.
• The general principles of the science of toxicology as used by government agencies in Australia and internationally.
• What, when and how toxic substances may cause harm to human health
• How to interpret toxicological information for regulatory agencies, decision-makers and policymakers.

On completion

Qualification – Certificate of Successful Course Completion

Upon completing the Principles of Applied Toxicology course and examination, the registrant will receive an Award for Successful Course Completion in the Principles of Applied Toxicology course, certified by ECU and ACTRA. Successful course completion counts towards continuing education points for ACTRA members.

Certificate of attendance

All registrants will receive a certificate of attendance.