From the archive: Hazardous to health?

Since I wrote 'Hazardous to health', policy has begun to change across the world. Papers I have written have led to industry and regulatory bodies reflecting on how chemical risk assessment needs to change, and to learn about systematic review techniques to evaluate risk.

Toxicology is still not routinely taught on medical curriculum or in clinical psychology. I have, though, got my teaching included in the undergraduate medical and pharmacology curriculums at University College London. I also teach toxicology regularly on postgraduate training programmes, and get invites to speak at Neuropsychiatry conferences.

It's been really interesting to collaborate with Toxicologists in Brazil – an agricultural superpower, with, sadly, very high rates of pesticide poisoning. I've also worked and published with medical experts from Europe on the issue of contaminated air in commercial aircraft. I've even given legal evidence on ill health in aircrew – the first time this topic has ever been heard in a UK Court. We're just waiting on the judgement.

I was promoted to Professor by UCL for my work in Toxicology and awarded the British Psychological Society's Distinguished Contribution to Practice Award, by the Division of Neuropsychology in 2020. That has all been really gratifying – but so much still needs to change in this area.

Human society is increasingly dependent on chemicals which are essential in agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare, but the capacity of industry to produce new chemicals outstrips our capacity to research their impact on health.

Some chemicals are endocrine disruptors (e.g. pesticides and plastics), some are carcinogenic (e.g. benzene), others are neurotoxic (organophosphates, solvents and metals etc). There is an urgent need to increase public awareness and further research into the toxicity of environmental and industrial chemicals.

Individuals can be exposed to toxic chemicals at any time of life and in a number of different ways, such as in the home (e.g. carbon monoxide poisoning), in the workplace (e.g. in the transport, manufacturing and agricultural industries to name a few), or via ingestion of contaminated food and water. 

Successful treatment of chemical poisoning requires early diagnosis and cessation of exposure, yet healthcare professionals in the UK receive little training in toxicology, resulting in missed or misdiagnosis. There is an urgent need to include toxicology in the training of medical and healthcare professionals across the UK and beyond.

Improper management and disposal of chemicals results in misuse and pollution. It's imperative the process of regulation and management of chemicals is improved, particularly in developing nations where economic pressures and poor health and safety procedures cause harm to many individuals. Balancing the benefits and risks of chemical use is a significant challenge for our society, but essential to protect the health of all species and our planet.

The presumption that all chemicals are safe unless proven otherwise needs to be challenged. Much could be gained by multidisciplinary research and collaboration, but this will only happen if policymakers and funders can be convinced of the need for further research.

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