Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. It can be mainly divided into two types: acute and chronic toxicity. Acute is the development of adverse effects due to short-term exposure to a contaminant or other stressors while chronic toxicity is the development of adverse effects due to long-term exposure to a contaminant or other stressors.
The difference between acute and chronic toxicity is the type of effects. Acute toxicity causes reversible effects, whereas chronic toxicity causes irreversible effects.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acute Toxicity
3. What is Chronic Toxicity
4. Similarities – Acute and Chronic Toxicity
5. Acute vs Chronic Toxicity in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Acute vs Chronic Toxicity
7. FAQ – Acute and Chronic Toxicity
What is Acute Toxicity?
Acute toxicity is the development of adverse effects of a substance from a single exposure or multiple exposures in a short period of time. Normally, it involves exposure to a substance for less than a day. Acute toxicity typically occurs from a single dose of toxin.
A good example of acute toxicity is a snake bite. In this situation, all the venom from the startled snake is injected into the organism at once. Treatments for acute toxicity can vary depending on the specific toxin involved. Some common treatment methods involve emergency showers, emergency eye washes, activated charcoal, and conventional stomach pumping.
What is Chronic Toxicity?
Chronic toxicity is the development of adverse health effects from repeated exposures at lower levels to a substance over a longer time period, such as months or years. Many chronic toxicities occur from cigarettes or other carcinogens. It can also occur biologically from small doses of cyanobacteria over time. This ultimately would result in a buildup of toxins that harm the liver and brain.
Chronic toxicity is an important aspect of aquatic toxicology. Furthermore, chronic toxicity can be treated through gastrointestinal decontamination, antidotes, and organ transplantation.
Similarities Between Acute and Chronic Toxicity
- Acute and chronic toxicity are two different types of toxicities.
- Both may cause lethal effects on different organisms.
- Both can be diagnosed through laboratory testing.
- They can be treated through specific antidotes and decontamination.
Difference Between Acute and Chronic Toxicity
Definition
- Acute toxicity is the development of adverse effects of a substance that occurs either from a single exposure or from multiple exposures in a short period of time.
- Chronic toxicity is the development of adverse health effects from repeated exposures to a substance over a longer time period, such as months or years.
Occurrence
- Acute toxicity results from single or multiple exposures to high concentrations of a substance.
- Chronic toxicity results from repeated exposure to low concentrations of a substance.
Reversibility
- Acute toxicity effects are generally reversible.
- Chronic toxicity effects may be irreversible.
Example
- An example of acute toxicity is a snake bite.
- Chronic toxicity examples include cigarettes or other carcinogens and exposure to small doses of cyanobacteria over time.
Treatment
- Treatment for acute toxicity may involve emergency showers, eye washes, activated charcoal, and conventional stomach pumping.
- Chronic toxicity treatment may include gastrointestinal decontamination, administration of antidotes, and organ transplantation.
The infographic below presents the differences between acute and chronic toxicity in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Acute vs Chronic Toxicity
Toxicity is the quality of being toxic. Acute and chronic toxicity are two different types of toxicity. Acute toxicity is the development of adverse effects of a substance that is from a single exposure or from multiple exposures in a short period of time while chronic toxicity is the development of the adverse health effects from repeated exposures to a substance over a longer time period such as months or years. Moreover, acute toxicity is reversible whereas chronic toxicity is irreversible. Thus, this summarizes the difference between acute and chronic toxicity.
FAQ: Acute and Chronic Toxicity
1. What is the difference between acute toxicity and chronic toxicity tests?
- Acute toxicity tests measure the effects of short-term exposure to high concentrations of chemicals, while chronic toxicity tests assess the effects of long-term exposure to lower, less toxic concentrations.
2. What are the symptoms of chronic toxicity?
- Confusion, ataxia, tremor, hyporeflexia, slurred speech, memory loss, poor concentration, mydriasis, xerostomia, peripheral neuropathy, and osteomalacia from enhanced vitamin D metabolism are some symptoms of chronic toxicity.
3. What are examples of aquatic chronic toxicity tests?
- Examples of aquatic chronic toxicity tests involve assessing the long-term effects of toxicants or stressors on aquatic organisms. Common examples include evaluating Fathead minnow larval survival and growth, Daphnia survival and reproduction over 21 days, Green algae growth over 72 hours, and Amphipod survival, growth, and reproduction over 42 days.
4. What is an example of an acute toxicity substance?
- Cyanide is highly toxic and can cause rapid onset of symptoms, including respiratory failure and cardiac arrest, leading to death within minutes of exposure. Due to its acute toxicity, cyanide is often associated with industrial accidents or intentional poisonings.
5. What are the 3 types of toxicity?
- The three types of toxicity are chemical, biological, and physical. Chemical toxicity refers to the harmful effects of chemical substances, while biological toxicity relates to the harmful effects of biological agents like bacteria or viruses. Physical toxicity involves harmful effects resulting from physical factors such as radiation or heat.
Reference:
1. “Acute Toxicity – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.
2. “Test No. 452: Chronic Toxicity Studies.” OECD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Snake Bite Symptoms” By Häggström, Mikael (2014). “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014” WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Papierosa 1 ubt 0069” By © 2005 by Tomasz Sienicki / Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia