Analytical Toxicology

Recommended Prerequisites

The multidisciplinary nature of Toxicology requires knowledge base acquired in the disciplines of pharmacology, physiology, Methods of instrumental analysis, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and others. It is also essential to have a good understanding of mathematical calculus and statistics.

Teaching Methods

Traditional lecture is followed by formal lectures using PowerPoint presentations. In practical classes the students work in groups, guided by the teacher through the experimental process, in a cooperative learning base.

Learning Outcomes

Acquire basic and specific knowledge in the field of Toxicology;

- Enforce the basics of analytical instrumentation acquired;

- Identify and / or quantify the toxic agents involved in the areas of occupational toxicology social, environmental, pharmaceuticals, food or even forensic toxicology and doping;

- Know how to choose the most appropriate sample for toxicological analysis;

- Select the most appropriate analytical method;

- Implement and organize a complete analytical procedure: sample collection, sample preparation, analytical method for the identification and quantification, interpretation correct the results obtained;

 - Analyze and interpret results in several areas of Toxicology accurately, clearly and concisely;

- Follows rules of  safety and environmental protection.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical

Toxicology: definition, historical aspects, areas of action, sources of toxic compounds, fundamental concepts, distribution of toxicants in the body toxic responses and toxicological evaluation.

Analytical Toxicology: basis of toxicological analyzes; a main purpose of toxicological analyzes, collection, transport and storage of samples, sample preparation, methods and techniques of analysis.

Practical and Laboratorial

Basic safety rules. Safety standards in the laboratory. Handling toxic substances. Sample Preparation: Extraction and identification of toxicants. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of toxic (barbiturates, arsenic, cyanide and cyanide, methyl and ethyl alcohol, fluoride, pesticides). All these tests have as a principle the application ofextraction techniques, spectrophotometric method, and titration, colorimetric and chromatographic methods. Solid phase extraction. Presumptive and confirmatory tests.

Head Lecturer(s)

Isabel Rita Rebelo Ferreira Barbosa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: final written exam related with practical laboratory program: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Casarett and Doull's Toxicology - The basic science of poisons. Curtis D. Klaassen, Mary O. Amdur; John Doull. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill. N Y, 2001

Jungreis, E., Spot test analysis: clinical, environmental, forensic and geochemical applications, John Wiley & Sons, 2ªEd., 1997

Frederik P.Smith, Jay A, Handbook of forensic drug analysis. Siegel Ed., Elsevier Academic Press, 2005

Colin Baird, W. H, Environmental chemistry. Freeman and Company, N Y, 1999

Michael D. Cole, The analysis of controlled substances, Wiley, 2003

Joseph Chamberlain, The analysis of drugs in biological fluids, 2ª Ed., CRC Press, 2000

W. P. Cunningham, M. A. Cunningham, Environmental science: a global concern, B. Saigo, 8ª Ed., 2005

Flanagan, R.J.Taylor, A., Watson, I.D.,Whelpton, R.Fundamentals of analytical toxicology, John W & S, 2007

Moreau, R.L.M.Siqueira, M.E.P.B.,Toxicologia analítica, Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ed. Guanabara Koogan S.A., 2008

Repetto, M. y G.Toxicología Fundamental, Ed. Díaz de Santos, 4ªEd, 2009.