Toxicologist
A toxicologist is a scientist who studies the effects of toxic substances on living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. The field of toxicology encompasses various specialties, such as environmental toxicology, clinical toxicology, and forensic toxicology, each focusing on the effects of chemicals in different contexts, from public health to law enforcement. Education typically requires a strong foundation in the sciences, particularly chemistry and biology, with many toxicologists holding advanced degrees. Career prospects for toxicologists are favorable, with a projected employment growth rate of 7% and a median annual salary of approximately $107,460.
Toxicologists play a vital role in assessing chemical safety, conducting research, and developing protocols for handling hazardous substances. They may work in diverse settings, including government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions. Additionally, toxicologists are involved in critical areas such as drug development and environmental monitoring, addressing issues such as food and water safety. As industrial and environmental challenges evolve, the demand for toxicologists is expected to grow, highlighting their importance in safeguarding public health and the environment.
Toxicologist
Earnings (Yearly Median): $107,460 (Biochemists and Biophysicists) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
Employment and Outlook: 7% (Faster than average)
O*NET-SOC Code: 19-1021.00
Related Career Clusters: Education & Training; Health Science; Human Services
Scope of Work
Toxicologists monitor the presence of potentially toxic chemicals and study their effects on biological systems such as animals and plants. The specific job carried out by the toxicologist depends upon the place of employment and the function of the employer. Toxicologists employed by public health departments or agencies may monitor the presence of harmful chemicals in the environment. This may include investigations of possible food contamination or water contamination. If the primary job duties include research, the toxicologist may be involved in medical studies on the effects of chemicals on humans or animals. This is particularly true in the pharmaceutical industry or similar areas in which companies are actively involved in developing new chemicals or drugs.
Another branch of toxicology is in the area of forensics. These individuals may monitor or measure the chemicals associated with a crime scene. For example, a forensic toxicologist may determine whether an individual has been poisoned or if drugs or alcohol were involved in a fatal accident.
Education and Coursework
Most colleges and universities do not have a program specifically for toxicology. The undergraduate student interested in toxicology as a career generally concentrates on one of the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry; the course work carried out by the student is more critical than the overall program. Students should enroll in as many chemistry courses as are available, particularly laboratory courses in analytical and organic chemistry and biochemistry. Some universities do offer advanced undergraduate courses in toxicology. In addition, students should complete courses in the biological sciences, particularly any that are medically related, as well as mathematics, statistics, and physics. Any experience with instrumentation or analytical software may prove helpful when applying for jobs or professional schools.
Approximately 50 percent of toxicologists have doctoral degrees. A bachelor's degree may allow individuals access to lower, entry-level jobs, but advancement and opportunities for greater responsibilities may be limited. Students enrolled in a graduate program with the goal of an advanced degree may begin to specialize in toxicology in which they are interested. Areas include environmental toxicology, human or clinical toxicology, and forensic toxicology. Coursework will include advanced analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Depending on the laboratory, a master's degree may be sufficient. For example, forensic jobs in toxicology rely more on the practical experience of the individual, and a doctorate may not be necessary.
Some students interested in research involving humans—for example, analyzing the genetic effects of toxins—should pursue a medical program, followed by a hospital internship and residency specializing in the subject. A master's program takes, on average, approximately two years to complete, while a PhD program may require three to four years. If the student wishes first to obtain a medical degree, an average of four years in medical school will be required. If the goal is a PhD following undergraduate work, it is common to apply directly to a doctoral program rather than spending several years on a master's degree.
Career Enhancement and Training
Individuals trained in toxicology are eligible to join the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. The organization's goals include clinical training and research into disease and other pathological issues associated with exposure to environmental toxins. Applicants must either possess a doctorate in the biomedical sciences or have a baccalaureate degree and a minimum of five years of experience in the field. The applicant must also have demonstrated competence in the field. Once the application has passed a review board, the applicant must pass an examination.
Other professional toxicology associations include the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. The ACMT consists of physicians whose practices address patients exposed to environmental toxins or who have experienced drug overdoses. While membership is not required for a certified toxicologist, most physicians certified in medical toxicology are members of the ACMT. Application to the society requires prior certification in medical toxicology by the American Board of Emergency Medicine or the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
The American Board of Veterinary Toxicology consists of board-certified veterinarians who monitor or study the effects of environmental toxins on animals. Their work includes monitoring pharmaceutical agents, food additives, radiation, and other potential hazards to pets and wild animals.
Daily Tasks and Technology
The duties of a toxicologist will vary depending upon whether they work primarily in industry, medicine, or academia. Industrial toxicologists work as part of a team that may include chemists or biochemists, and the specific work depends on the specific industry. In the pharmaceutical sector, toxicologists may monitor the safety or possible toxic effects of various compounds, utilizing imaging software or other forms of analyzers to develop three-dimensional images of molecules.
Toxicologists employed by the government may be involved in assessing the toxicity of various chemicals and creating safety profiles that outline safe handling and disposal procedures for various substances. They are also responsible for approving new drugs and medications for the market after first performing rigorous analyses to determine if a substance is both safe and effective. Toxicologists may also work in hospitals or poison-control centers, diagnosing and treating patients who have been exposed to harmful substances or who have overdosed on a medicine or drug.
In the academic field, which includes medical and undergraduate biology programs, toxicologists may conduct research into the mechanisms of toxic effects in addition to teaching students of biochemistry or biology.
In both industry and academia, research may involve observing the long-term effects of chemicals on humans or animals. In some cases, the effects of a chemical may not be observed for several months or longer, requiring extended periods of observation. If a new chemical is under study, it will likely be rated on a scale of zero (no toxicity) to three (significant toxicity that may be life-threatening).
Earnings and Employment Outlook
The earnings and employment levels for toxicologists are expected to rise, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), subject to the economy's overall performance. Persons employed in jobs in the government sector, including those in public health departments, have experienced significant layoffs when government expenditures are reduced. Toxicologists may also be vulnerable to reductions in institutional research budgets or specific industry contractions. The BLS projected employment of biochemists to grow faster than average from 2022 to 2032.
Salary levels are a function of the highest degree earned by the individual and years of experience. Industrial salaries generally exceed those in academia. The median annual wage of the top ten percent in 2023 was $175,790, while the bottom 10 percent earned $64,680.
Related Occupations
• Environmental Biologists: Environmental biologists specializing in toxicology study the effects of chemicals in the environment, including contamination in water, food, or air, and the effects of contaminants on human health.
• Forensic Toxicologists: Forensic toxicologists frequently work with law enforcement agencies to identify chemicals that might be associated with a crime or monitor for the presence of illegal drugs.
• Medical Toxicologists: Medical toxicologists, almost all of whom have medical degrees, may test for the presence of toxic materials in patients, which can result from drug use or improper organ function, particularly the liver or kidneys. A medical toxicologist may also be part of a research team studying different methods of monitoring illnesses.
• Molecular Biologists: Most often, Ph.D. holders, molecular biologists study the molecular changes in a cell in response to various environmental influences. Molecular biologists are generally research scientists.
• Biochemists:Biochemistry studies the chemical processes of living organisms. Biochemists may specialize in the study of the chemical changes that occur in biological systems, including exposure to possible toxins.
Future Applications
The increasing development and use of chemicals, not only in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries directly but also in the agriculture and food service industries, will create new opportunities for toxicologists. Environmental concerns over air and water contamination will also increase toxicologists' role. In the early twenty-first century, toxicologists have been called on to respond to major environmental disasters, including the containment and remediation efforts following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown in Japan in 2011. Opportunities for toxicologists are not limited to research and development; more than half of all certified toxicologists work as industry consultants.
As industrial technology continues to evolve, along with the ability to synthesize new or modified chemicals, there will be an increased need to monitor or test for any possible toxic side effects. Such rapid development underscores the need for proper risk assessments and safety profiles. Any form of biochemical toxicity must continue to be analyzed and, if possible, the mechanism determined. For this reason, medical or biochemical toxicologists will continue to be in demand.
Modern testing of chemicals routinely utilizes animals as test subjects. Besides ethical considerations, the use of animals in testing is expensive and subject to increasingly strict regulations. Future toxicologists will be tasked with developing more efficient models to analyze the possible toxicity of chemical compounds or aftereffects of injuries and diseases as they are metabolized in the body.
Bibliography
"Biochemists and Biophysicists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biochemists-and-biophysicists.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 19-1021 Biochemists and Biophysicists." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191021.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Summary Report for: 19-1021.00 - Biochemists and Biophysicists." O*NET OnLine. National Center for O*NET Development, 9 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1021.00. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.