In this lecture, students will learn that one critical side of epidemiological events is toxicology or the undertaking by toxicologists. As defined in Lecture 1 (Slide 16), toxicology is the science dealing with toxic agents and their adverse health effects. In many ways, epidemiology is a discipline also striving to achieve pretty much the same goals. The main difference between the two sciences is the study tools and subjects that they employ. Toxicologists tend to rely on controlled experiments, in vitro assays, and laboratory animals to pursue their study interests. Epidemiologists on the other hand involve themselves more in pursuing the association between human exposures and outcomes.

Through three historical epidemics, students will learn the importance of toxicology to epidemiologic events. They will appreciate that without this type of information, many epidemiologists cannot pursue too far with these events.

Students will learn too that the impact of toxicology on epidemiologic events is not only dynamic, but also case-dependent. They will find that in some instances, toxicologic information can only be used to confirm the mechanism underlying an adverse effect. Yet in other cases, the same type of information can be used to completely prevent a pandemic from happening or recurring.