Main description:

* Familiarizes the reader with the basic terminology applied to toxicology
* Explains how the exposure to a chemical is critically important when estimating the human health risk
* Provides a balanced approach, neither spotlighting sensational findings nor downplaying potential real risks

Contents:

1. Introduction. Part I The Concepts: Hazard and Exposure 2. What Does "Toxic" Mean? 3. Paracelsus Reloaded-The Dose Concept. 4. Exposure-The Key Determinant in Risk Assessment. 5. Natural and Synthetic Chemicals. 6. What Our Body Does to a Chemical. 7. What a Chemical Does to Our Body. 8. Defense Shields. 9. Correlation and Causality. Part II The Chemicals 10. Pesticides-Killers with a License. 11. Toxic Food. 12. Dietary Supplements - The More The Better? 13. Significant Risks: Persistent and Widespread. 14. Drugs. Part III The Risk 15. Safety Assessment. 16. Acceptable Limits, Tolerance, and Red Lines. 17. Risk Assessment. 18. Gauging the Risk Against the Benefit. 19. Risk Communication. Part IV The Future 20. Toxicological Challenges. 21. Conclusions and Outlook.