Toxicology Reference · CIH · CRSP · CRST

Published July 30, 2026 · Updated September 24, 2026 · Kevin L., CRSP, CRST · Companion to the CIH Study Journal

Industrial Toxicology Reference

A look-up reference built while working through CIH Chapter 4 (Toxicology): 69 substances across 8 chemical families — toxic metals, organic solvents, alcohols & glycols, aldehydes & ketones, pesticides, toxic gases, asphyxiants, and fibers — with common workplace sources, exposure routes, important mechanisms, acute and chronic effects, and quick-recognition cues. For the explanations behind the terms, read Toxicology Basics: How Exposure Becomes Harm first.

How to use this page

Use these tables to look up a chemical's common workplace sources, exposure routes, important mechanisms and health effects. Read Toxicology Basics: How Exposure Becomes Harm first if you want the explanations behind the terms.

The tables highlight important associations rather than every possible effect. Effects depend on chemical form, dose, route and duration. A chemical may affect several organs, and a familiar symptom does not establish the cause of an illness.

Choose a chemical family below, locate the substance, and follow its source link for more detail. Odour and appearance are descriptive information, not reliable exposure measurements.

Built for CIH, and relevant for CRSP and CRST. The same content maps onto CRSP's chemical hazard (HRIA6), physical hazard (HRIA8), and biological hazard (HRIA5) competencies, and CRST's HIRAC14 (gases, vapours, solvents, fumes, dusts) and HIRAC15 (physical hazards) domains. The exam names differ; the underlying toxicology doesn't.
Chronic effects are shown in red in each table, so long-term effects can be found at a glance.
This is a recognition aid, not a toxicology textbook. Always verify values and classifications against ACGIH TLVs/BEIs, SDS/GHS data and your primary IH reference before applying any of this in practice.

📖 Recommended Reference

2025 TLVs and BEIs® — ACGIH

The authoritative source for exposure limits behind every substance on this page

View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, SPEP earns from qualifying purchases.

00 Toxicology Fundamentals

The theory behind these tables now has its own article, Toxicology Basics: How Exposure Becomes Harm. It covers:

Dose and response: LD₅₀, ED₅₀, NOAEL, LOAEL and thresholds.
Routes of entry and what the body does to a chemical (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, half-life).
How chemicals cause harm: the twenty mechanisms and effect categories, with chemical examples.
Cancer classification scales (IARC and ACGIH) and chemical interactions.
Exposure-limit labels: TWA, STEL, ceiling, skin, sensitizer, BEI and IDLH.

01 Toxic Metals & Metallic Compounds

Compare each metal's chemical form, routes and characteristic target organs. The form of a metal changes the hazard, and appearance and odor rarely help.

Chemical	Appearance	State	Main Route	Acute Effects	Chronic Effects	Common Industries
Mercury (Hg)	Silver liquid, odorless	Liquid	Inhalation (vapor), skin, ingestion	Pneumonitis, cough, chest pain	Tremors, erethism, memory loss, kidney damage	Chlor-alkali plants, mining, dentistry, fluorescent lamps, gold extraction
Methyl Mercury	Colorless, odorless	Liquid	Ingestion	GI upset	Severe neurotoxicity, fetal brain damage	Seafood contamination, chemical manufacturing
Lead	Bluish-gray, odorless	Solid	Inhalation, ingestion	Abdominal pain, fatigue	Anemia, neuropathy (wrist drop), kidney disease, reproductive toxicity	Battery manufacturing, smelting, demolition, shooting ranges
Arsenic	Gray metallic, odorless	Solid	Inhalation, ingestion	Vomiting, diarrhea, shock	Skin cancer, lung cancer, neuropathy	Smelting, mining, wood preservatives
Cadmium	Silver-white, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Metal fume fever, pneumonitis	Kidney damage, osteoporosis, lung cancer	Battery manufacturing, electroplating, welding
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI)	Yellow-orange compounds, odorless	Solid	Inhalation, skin	Skin burns, nasal irritation	Lung cancer, nasal septum perforation	Stainless steel welding, chrome plating, pigments
Nickel	Silver-white, odorless	Solid	Inhalation, skin	Dermatitis	Lung cancer, nasal cancer	Electroplating, alloy production
Nickel Carbonyl	Colorless, musty	Gas	Inhalation	Delayed pulmonary edema	Lung damage	Nickel refining
Beryllium	Steel gray, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Pneumonitis	Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD), lung cancer	Aerospace, nuclear, electronics
Cobalt	Gray, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Asthma	Cardiomyopathy, pulmonary fibrosis	Hard metal manufacturing
Manganese	Gray, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Irritation	Parkinson-like syndrome (Manganism) — a neurotoxin effect: damages the brain's movement-control area (basal ganglia), causing tremor, muscle stiffness, and slow movement	Welding, mining
Aluminum	Silver, odorless	Solid	Dust inhalation	Irritation	Pulmonary fibrosis (rare)	Aluminum smelting
Antimony	Silvery, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Eye irritation	Pneumoconiosis	Flame retardants
Stibine	Colorless, garlic	Gas	Inhalation	Massive hemolysis	Kidney failure	Semiconductor manufacturing
Selenium	Gray, garlic breath	Solid	Inhalation, ingestion	GI irritation	Hair loss, nail changes	Electronics
Thallium	Bluish-white, odorless	Solid	Ingestion, inhalation	GI symptoms	Peripheral neuropathy, alopecia	Electronics
Vanadium Pentoxide	Yellow-orange powder, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Respiratory irritation, green tongue	Chronic bronchitis	Oil-fired boilers
Uranium	Silver-gray, odorless	Solid	Inhalation	Kidney toxicity	Radiation risk	Nuclear industry

02 Organic Solvents

Compare the individual solvent's acute effects, target organs and longer-term hazards. Several solvents share CNS effects, but their full toxicological profiles differ.

Chemical	Appearance/Odor	Entry Route	Acute Effects	Chronic Effects	Common Industries
Benzene	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Dizziness	Leukemia	Petrochemical
Toluene	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	CNS depression	Hearing loss, neurotoxicity	Paints
Xylene	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Headache	Liver/kidney effects	Paints
Ethylbenzene	Colorless, aromatic	Inhalation	Dizziness	Hearing loss	Fuel
Styrene	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Irritation	Peripheral neuropathy	Fiberglass
n-Hexane	Colorless, gasoline-like	Inhalation	CNS depression	Peripheral neuropathy	Printing
Carbon Tetrachloride	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	CNS depression	Liver necrosis	Chemical manufacturing
Chloroform	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Anesthesia	Liver damage	Labs
Methylene Chloride	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Dizziness	Possible cancer	Paint stripping
Trichloroethylene	Colorless, sweet	Inhalation	Narcosis	Kidney cancer	Degreasing
Tetrachloroethylene	Colorless, ether-like	Inhalation	CNS depression	Liver damage	Dry cleaning
Vinyl Chloride	Colorless, mild sweet	Inhalation	Dizziness	Liver angiosarcoma	PVC manufacturing

03 Alcohols & Glycols

Compare individual alcohols and glycols. Similar names do not imply equivalent toxicity or metabolism.

Chemical	Odor	State	Acute Effect	Chronic Effect	Industries
Methanol	Alcohol	Liquid	Blindness, acidosis	Optic nerve damage	Solvents
Ethanol	Alcohol	Liquid	Intoxication	Liver disease	Beverage, sanitizer
Isopropanol	Alcohol	Liquid	CNS depression	Dermatitis	Cleaning
Ethylene Glycol	Sweet	Liquid	Kidney failure	Renal damage	Antifreeze
Propylene Glycol	Nearly odorless	Liquid	Low toxicity	Minimal	Food, pharma

04 Aldehydes & Ketones

These compounds differ in irritancy, sensitization, nervous-system effects and other hazards. Use the individual row rather than assuming a shared health-effect profile.

Chemical	Odor	State	Acute Effect	Chronic Effect	Industries
Formaldehyde	Pungent	Gas	Eye irritation	Nasal cancer	Resins, labs
Acrolein	Burning	Liquid	Pulmonary irritation	Airway disease	Combustion
Acetone	Fragrant (mint-like)	Liquid	Eye, nose and throat irritation; headache, dizziness, CNS depression	Dermatitis	Solvent, cleaning
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)	Sweet	Liquid	CNS depression	Dermatitis	Paint
MnBK (Methyl n-Butyl Ketone)	Sweet	Liquid	Dizziness	Peripheral neuropathy	Solvents
Glutaraldehyde	Pungent	Liquid	Respiratory/eye irritation	Sensitization (asthma, dermatitis)	Healthcare sterilization

05 Pesticides

Use the mechanism column to distinguish pesticide classes. For an explanation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cholinergic effects, see Toxicology Basics.

Chemical	Appearance	Major Toxic Effect	Chronic Effect	Industries
Parathion	Brown liquid	Cholinesterase inhibition	Neuropathy	Agriculture
Malathion	Amber liquid	Cholinergic symptoms	Lower chronic toxicity	Agriculture
DDT	White crystals	Tremors	Possible carcinogen	Historical
Chlordane	Amber liquid	CNS stimulation	Liver toxicity	Termite control
Aldrin	White crystals	Seizures	Liver toxicity	Historical
DBCP	Colorless liquid	Eye irritation	Male infertility	Agriculture

📖 Study Reference

2025 TLVs and BEIs® — ACGIH

Exposure limits & Biological Exposure Indices for every substance above

View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, SPEP earns from qualifying purchases.

06 Toxic Gases

Gas distribution depends on release conditions, ventilation, temperature and mixing as well as density. Measure the relevant contaminants; odor and density alone do not establish exposure or safety.

Gas	Color/Odor	Density vs. Air	Acute Effect	Chronic Effect	Industries
Carbon Monoxide	Colorless, odorless	Slightly lighter	Hypoxia	Neuro/cardiac injury	Combustion
Hydrogen Sulfide	Rotten eggs	Heavier	Respiratory paralysis	Neurological effects	Oil & gas
Hydrogen Cyanide	Bitter almonds	Slightly lighter	Cellular hypoxia	Neurological effects	Electroplating
Ammonia	Sharp, colorless	Lighter	Airway burns	Bronchitis	Refrigeration
Chlorine	Green-yellow, bleach	Heavier	Pulmonary edema	RADS	Water treatment
Sulfur Dioxide	Colorless, burning	Heavier	Bronchospasm	Bronchitis	Smelters
Nitrogen Dioxide	Brown-red, acrid	Heavier	Pulmonary edema	Bronchiolitis	Welding
Ozone	Pale blue, electrical	Heavier	Chest tightness	Reduced lung function	UV/welding
Phosgene	Colorless, fresh-cut hay	Heavier	Delayed pulmonary edema	Lung disease	Chemical manufacturing

07 Asphyxiants

Asphyxiants: oxygen displacement vs. impaired oxygen transport or use

Type	Short definition	Major examples and mechanism
Simple asphyxiants	Reduce the oxygen available in the surrounding air.	Nitrogen, argon, helium and methane displace oxygen. Methane is also a fire/explosion hazard.
Chemical asphyxiants	Interfere with oxygen transport or cellular use, even when the oxygen in the air is normal.	CO forms carboxyhemoglobin and impairs oxygen delivery. HCN inhibits cytochrome oxidase and cellular respiration. H₂S inhibits cellular respiration at high concentrations and also irritates the eyes and lungs.

Memory: simple = less oxygen to breathe. Chemical = the oxygen cannot be delivered or used properly.

Additional hazard: carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can displace oxygen and also causes direct physiological effects through excessive CO₂ exposure. An acceptable oxygen reading does not exclude a hazardous CO₂ concentration.

Overlap: H₂S is both a chemical asphyxiant and a respiratory irritant; the irritant gases are in section 06, Toxic Gases.

Sources: CCOHS, simple asphyxiants, ATSDR, carbon monoxide, ATSDR, cyanide, ATSDR, hydrogen sulfide.

08 Fibers & Industrial Chemicals

Additional industrial agents are grouped by material or application. Their mechanisms and time courses differ; consult the individual entry.

Chemical	Appearance	Major Hazard	Chronic Disease	Industries
Asbestos	White-gray fibers	Inhalation	Asbestosis, mesothelioma	Construction
TDI	Colorless-yellow liquid	Asthma	Occupational asthma	Polyurethane
MDI	Brown liquid	Asthma	Occupational asthma	Spray foam
Epoxy Resins	Clear-amber	Skin sensitizer	Allergic dermatitis	Composites
PCBs	Yellow oily liquid	Skin irritation	Cancer/endocrine effects	Transformers
Dioxins	Colorless solids	Highly toxic	Cancer	Incineration
Dibenzofurans	Colorless solids	Highly toxic	Cancer	Combustion
Fluorocarbons	Colorless	Mild ether odor	Cardiac sensitization	Refrigeration
Acrylamide	White crystalline solid	Skin absorption	Peripheral neuropathy, carcinogen	Wastewater treatment, paper

09 Quick Recognition Mnemonics

The substances that show up most often, boiled down to one memory cue each.

Mercury

Mad Hatter — tremor, memory, mood

Lead

Wrist drop + belly pain

Cadmium

Kidneys + bones

Chromium VI

Chrome holes + lung cancer

Beryllium

Granulomatous lung disease

Manganese

Parkinson-like syndrome — a neurotoxin: tremor, stiffness, slow movement

Benzene

Bone marrow → leukemia

Methanol

Blindness

Carbon Monoxide

Carboxyhemoglobin → impaired oxygen delivery (cherry-red skin is a classic but unreliable sign)

Hydrogen Sulfide

Rotten eggs at low levels, then odor fatigue: never use smell as a safety cue

Ammonia

Upper airway irritant

Chlorine

Pulmonary edema

Asbestos

Mesothelioma

Ethylene Glycol

Antifreeze → oxalate crystals, kidneys

Carbon Tetrachloride

Centrilobular liver necrosis

n-Hexane

Giant axonal degeneration

Hydrogen Cyanide

Blocks cytochrome oxidase — cellular asphyxiation

Glutaraldehyde

Cold sterilant → asthma + dermatitis sensitizer

Acrylamide

Skin notation → peripheral neuropathy

10 Occupational Biological Hazards — Viruses & Bacteria

Zoonotic diseases tested less often than the chemical families above, but with a very recognizable pattern: match the organism to the animal or environment the worker is handling.

Disease	Type	Organism	Exposure Route	Occupations at Risk
Anthrax	Bacterium	Bacillus anthracis	Contact with hides, wool, hair, or bone from infected animals; spores can also be inhaled	Wool/hide handlers, tannery workers, farmers ("Woolsorter's disease")
Brucellosis	Bacterium	Brucella spp.	Contact with infected animal tissue/fluids; unpasteurized dairy	Livestock handlers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers
Tularemia	Bacterium	Francisella tularensis	Handling infected rabbits/rodents; tick or deerfly bites	Hunters, trappers, wildlife/lab workers ("Rabbit fever")
Ornithosis (Psittacosis)	Bacterium	Chlamydia psittaci	Inhalation of dried droppings/secretions from infected birds	Poultry workers, pet shop/aviary employees, veterinarians
Leptospirosis	Bacterium	Leptospira spp.	Contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine (esp. rodents)	Sewer workers, farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers
Q Fever	Bacterium	Coxiella burnetii	Inhalation of contaminated dust/aerosols from birth products, milk, or urine	Sheep/goat/cattle handlers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers
Erysipeloid	Bacterium	Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae	Skin puncture/contact while handling fish, shellfish, poultry, or meat	Fish handlers, meat/poultry processors, veterinarians
Glanders	Bacterium	Burkholderia mallei	Contact with infected horses, mules, or donkeys; rare inhalation	Equine handlers, veterinarians, laboratory workers
Histoplasmosis	Fungus	Histoplasma capsulatum	Inhalation of spores from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings	Demolition/construction, cave workers, attic/chimney cleanup
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome	Virus	Hantavirus	Inhalation of aerosolized rodent urine, droppings, or saliva	Grain handlers, construction in rodent-infested areas, pest control
Rabies	Virus	Rabies virus	Bite or saliva contact with an infected mammal	Veterinarians, animal control officers, wildlife handlers
Tetanus	Bacterium	Clostridium tetani	Wound contamination with spore-laden soil (not zoonotic — soil-borne)	Farmers, gardeners, construction workers

11 General Calculations

The math that comes up alongside this reference — starting with combined exposure, more added as I work through the rest of the calculation-heavy material. The interaction concepts behind the mixture rule are in Toxicology Basics.

Additive Mixture Rule

E = (C₁/TLV₁) + (C₂/TLV₂) + … + (C_n/TLV_n)

Each term is the fraction of that substance's own TLV actually being used up. Add every fraction together — if the total, E, exceeds 1.0, the mixture exceeds the combined exposure limit, even when every individual substance is under its own TLV on its own.

Don't confuse this with Mixture TLV (solving for a blended product's own single TLV from its composition fractions) — that's a different formula answering a different question. Both, with practice problems, are in the CIH Equation Master.

12 Pathological View — Tissue & Cellular Mechanisms

The same chemicals from the tables above, this time from the pathologist's side — the actual structural and cellular changes each one produces, down to the mechanism.

Pathological Signs	Industrial Toxicant(s)
Membranous Nephropathy Immune-complex deposition in the glomerular basement membrane. Disruption of the size-selective filtration barrier.	Mercury (Hg)
Glomerular Sclerosis & Interstitial Fibrosis Progressive scarring of the renal filtering tufts. Chronic architectural destruction of kidney tissue.	Lead (Pb)
Proximal Tubular Necrosis Direct toxic cell death within the renal proximal tubules. Desquamation of tubular cells into the nephron lumen.	Cadmium (Cd)
Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) with Oxalate Crystals Precipitated intra-tubular calcium oxalate needle-like crystals. Mechanical tearing and occlusion of the renal tubular architecture.	Ethylene Glycol
Centrilobular Hepatic Necrosis & Steatosis Severe fatty degeneration (steatosis) of liver cells. Zone 3 hepatocyte necrosis via lipid peroxidation.	Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, Tetrachloroethylene
Bone Marrow Hypoplasia & Myelodysplasia Destruction of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. Progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).	Benzene
Retinal Ganglion Cell Necrosis & Optic Atrophy Selective destruction of the optic nerve fibers via toxic metabolite (formate). Severe cellular edema and demyelination.	Methanol
Giant Axonal Degeneration & Neurofilament Accumulation Structural swelling and breakdown of peripheral nerve axons (distal axonopathy). Secondary myelin sheath degradation.	n-Hexane, MnBK (Methyl n-Butyl Ketone)
Basal Ganglia Degeneration Selective cell loss and gliosis within the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Destruction of dopaminergic neurological pathways.	Manganese (Mn)
Ulceration & Perforation of Epithelial Membranes Coagulative necrosis of mucosal tissue leading to structural tissue loss ("chrome holes"). Deep chemical burning of skin and nasal septum.	Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI)
Diffuse Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis Macrophage activation by insoluble mineral fibers. Fibrotic scarring of lung parenchymal tissue and pleural plaques.	Asbestos
Carboxyhemoglobin Formation & Systemic Anoxic Necrosis Competitive binding to heme iron preventing oxygen transport. Microscopic ischemic necrosis in cardiac muscle and focal brain tissue.	Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Inhibition Chemical binding to ferric iron (Fe³⁺) in cytochrome a3. Arrest of cellular respiration leading to immediate cellular hypoxia.	Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)

13 Toxicology Term Glossary

The "-toxic" suffixes (plus the reproductive and genetic terms) that name every mechanism in the Pathological View table above — know the root, and the target is right there in the word.

Term	What It Damages	Target Organ System	Examples	Memory Cue
Hepatotoxic	Destroys hepatocytes (liver cells); induces lipid peroxidation and centrilobular liver necrosis, or damage such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.	Liver	Carbon tetrachloride, halothane, acetaminophen	Hepato- = Hepatic/Liver (Think: Hepatitis, Liver Detox Center)
Nephrotoxic	Damages the functional filtering units (nephrons), causing proximal tubular death or glomerular failure.	Kidneys	Cadmium, chloroform, NSAIDs	Nephro- = Nephron/Kidney (Think: Kidneys filter waste)
Neurotoxic	Destroys or disrupts the nervous system: interrupts nerve impulse transmission, degrades myelin sheaths, or destroys axons in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.	Central & Peripheral Nervous System	Lead, mercury, n-hexane, manganese	Neuro- = Neurons/Brain (Think: Nerves, tremors, convulsions)
Ototoxic	Damages the cochlea, auditory nerve, or vestibular system, causing hearing loss or balance problems — either alone or by potentiating the effect of noise.	Ear (hearing & balance)	Toluene, styrene, xylene, trichloroethylene, carbon disulfide (ACGIH "OTO" notation)	Oto- = Ear (Think: Otitis, otoscope)
Oculotoxic	Specifically toxic to the eyes or visual system, such as by damaging the optic nerve.	Eyes / Optic Nerve	Methanol (optic nerve damage)	Oculo- = Eye (Think: Ocular, oculist)
Hematotoxic	Suppresses bone marrow stem cells (preventing formation of red cells, white cells, and platelets), or destroys red blood cells and disrupts normal clotting.	Blood-Forming / Hematopoietic System	Benzene, arsine gas	Hemato- = Hematology/Blood (Think: Hemoglobin, Anemia)
Cardiotoxic	Damages the heart muscle or disrupts its electrical conduction system.	Heart	Cobalt, cocaine	Cardio- = Heart (Think: Cardiac arrest, cardiologist)
Pulmonotoxic	Causes severe chemical irritation, localized edema, or irreversible fibrotic tissue scarring in the lungs and respiratory tract (also called pneumotoxic).	Respiratory System / Lungs	Chlorine, phosgene, paraquat	Pulmono- = Pulmonary/Lungs (Think: Gas exchange, suffocation)
Dermatotoxic	Destroys skin barrier lipids, causing severe irritation, chemical burns, defatting, systemic absorption, or immune sensitization.	Integumentary System / Skin	Hydrofluoric acid, mustard gas	Derma- = Dermatology/Skin (Think: Epidermis, rashes)
Immunotoxic	Suppresses or abnormally over-activates immune responses, destroying white blood cell defense networks.	Immune System / Lymphatics	Dioxins, certain heavy metals	Immuno- = Immunity/Defense (Think: White blood cells, lymph nodes)
Genotoxic	Damages cellular DNA, which can lead to mutations or cancer.	DNA / Cells	Benzene, ethylene oxide	Geno- = Gene (Think: Genetics, genome)
Mutagen	A type of genotoxin that specifically causes permanent, transmissible (heritable) genetic mutations in DNA.	DNA (heritable change)	Ethylene oxide	Muta- = Change (Think: Mutation)
Teratogen	Interferes with normal embryonic development, causing physical (structural) birth defects.	Developing Embryo	Thalidomide, ethanol, lead	Terato- = Monster/Malformation (Think: Birth defects)
Fetotoxic	Causes harm, toxicity, or death to a developing fetus later in pregnancy — distinct from the early structural defects a teratogen causes.	Developing Fetus	Alcohol (later-pregnancy exposure)	Feto- = Fetus (Think: Late-pregnancy harm, not malformation)

Chemical Interaction Terms

How two or more chemicals behave together — a different question from what any one of them does alone.

Term	Definition	Note
Potentiating Effect	Occurs when a substance that does not normally produce a specific toxic effect on its own significantly increases or enhances the toxicity of another substance.	Classic example: isopropanol (not hepatotoxic alone) potentiates carbon tetrachloride's liver toxicity.
Antagonistic	Occurs when two chemicals counteract or oppose each other, reducing the overall toxic effect below what either would produce alone.	Combined effect is less than the sum of the individual effects (e.g., 1 + 1 < 2).
Negativistic	Not a recognized standard toxicological interaction term.	A common exam distractor — the real interaction types are additive, synergistic, potentiating, and antagonistic.
Dispositional (Antagonism)	Occurs when the absorption, biotransformation, distribution, or excretion of a chemical is altered so that the concentration or duration of the agent at the target organ is diminished.	One of the four recognized mechanisms of antagonism, alongside functional, chemical, and receptor antagonism.

The "-cide" Group — Killing Agents

Names for what a chemical is built to kill — heavily tested under Indoor Environmental Quality, healthcare toxicology, and pesticide questions.

Term	What It Kills	Examples	Group
Sporicide	Kills bacterial and fungal spores.	Peracetic acid, ethylene oxide, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide	Antimicrobials & Decontaminants
Bactericide	Kills vegetative (actively growing) bacteria, but not necessarily spores.	Isopropyl alcohol, phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds	Antimicrobials & Decontaminants
Virucide	Inactivates or destroys viruses.	Sodium hypochlorite (bleach), ethanol (enveloped viruses)	Antimicrobials & Decontaminants
Fungicide	Kills fungi, molds, and yeasts.	Copper sulfate, triazoles (mold remediation)	Antimicrobials & Decontaminants
Biocide	Broad catch-all: any chemical intended to destroy, deter, or render harmless a harmful organism — common in water treatment and cooling towers to prevent Legionella.	Chlorine, isothiazolinones, quaternary ammonium compounds	Antimicrobials & Decontaminants
Insecticide	Kills insects. Highly tested: organophosphates and carbamates inhibit acetylcholinesterase.	Organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, organochlorines (DDT)	Pesticides (Pests)
Rodenticide	Kills rodents such as mice and rats.	Warfarin, brodifacoum (anticoagulants); zinc phosphide	Pesticides (Pests)
Miticide (Acaricide)	Kills mites and ticks.	—	Pesticides (Pests)
Larvicide	Targets the larval stage of insects (e.g., mosquitoes).	—	Pesticides (Pests)
Pediculicide	Kills lice.	Permethrin	Pesticides (Pests)
Nematocide	Kills nematodes (parasitic roundworms in soil or plants).	—	Pesticides (Pests)
Herbicide	Kills weeds and unwanted vegetation.	Glyphosate, 2,4-D, paraquat (highly toxic to lungs)	Vegetation & Plant Controls
Algicide	Kills algae in water supplies, pools, and cooling towers.	Copper sulfate	Vegetation & Plant Controls
Arboricide	Kills trees and woody shrubs.	—	Vegetation & Plant Controls
Cytocide	An agent that kills cells indiscriminately.	Many traditional chemotherapy (antineoplastic) agents	Cellular Level (Descriptors)
Spermicide	Destroys sperm cells.	Contraceptive agents	Cellular Level (Descriptors)

Medical Prefixes

The root at the front of the word names the body part — learn these and most toxicology terms decode themselves.

Prefix	Meaning	Examples	Body Area
Pneumo- / Pulmo-	Lung or respiration	Pneumonitis (lung inflammation); pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs from gases such as phosgene)	Respiratory & Blood
Broncho-	Airway (bronchus)	Bronchitis; bronchospasm (sulfur dioxide, isocyanates)	Respiratory & Blood
Hem- / Hema- / Hemato-	Blood	Hemolysis (red-cell destruction by arsine gas); hematotoxic (toxic to the blood)	Respiratory & Blood
Erythro- / Leuko-	Red / white blood cell	Erythrocyte; leukemia and leukopenia (benzene)	Respiratory & Blood
Thrombo-	Clot or platelet	Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)	Respiratory & Blood
Cyan-	Blue	Cyanosis (blue skin from poor oxygenation); methemoglobinemia	Respiratory & Blood
Neuro-	Nervous system	Neuropathy (nerve damage from n-hexane or lead)	Neurological, Muscle & Heart
Encephal-	Brain	Encephalopathy (brain disease or damage, a classic sign of severe lead poisoning)	Neurological, Muscle & Heart
Myo-	Muscle	Myocardium (heart muscle); myalgia (muscle pain)	Neurological, Muscle & Heart
Cardio-	Heart	Cardiotoxic (cobalt); cardiac sensitization (fluorocarbons)	Neurological, Muscle & Heart
Oto-	Ear	Ototoxic (toluene, styrene)	Neurological, Muscle & Heart
Hepato-	Liver	Hepatitis (liver inflammation); hepatotoxin (carbon tetrachloride)	Internal Organs
Nephro- / Ren-	Kidney	Nephrotoxicity (kidney damage from cadmium or mercury)	Internal Organs
Gastro- / Entero-	Stomach / intestine	Gastroenteritis (ingested metals, some poisonings)	Internal Organs
Dermat- / Derm-	Skin	Dermatitis (skin inflammation, one of the most common occupational illnesses)	Skin, Eyes, Nose & Bones
Oculo- / Ophthalm-	Eye	Ocular irritation (burning eyes from formaldehyde); ophthalmia	Skin, Eyes, Nose & Bones
Rhino-	Nose	Rhinitis; nasal septum perforation (hexavalent chromium)	Skin, Eyes, Nose & Bones
Osteo-	Bone	Osteomalacia (cadmium); osteosarcoma (radium)	Skin, Eyes, Nose & Bones
Chondro-	Cartilage	Chondrosarcoma (cancer of the cartilage)	Skin, Eyes, Nose & Bones
Cyto-	Cell	Cytotoxic; cytolysis	Cells, Vessels & Levels
Somato- / Somat-	Body (the body's own cells, as opposed to the germ cells that pass genes to offspring)	Somatic effect (harm to the exposed person's own body cells, such as cancer; contrast heritable germ-cell effects); somatic mutation (DNA change in body cells, not passed to offspring)	Cells, Vessels & Levels
Angio-	Blood vessel	Angiosarcoma (vinyl chloride)	Cells, Vessels & Levels
Onco- / Carcino-	Tumor or cancer	Carcinogen; oncogenic	Cells, Vessels & Levels
Hyper- / Hypo-	Above / below normal	Hypoxia; hypercapnia; hyperplasia	Cells, Vessels & Levels

High-Yield Suffixes

The ending names the process or condition — what the chemical actually did to that body part.

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-itis	Inflammation	Alveolitis (inflammation of the lung's air sacs); bronchitis (inflammation of the airways)
-pathy	Disease or abnormality	Coagulopathy (a blood-clotting disorder); retinopathy (damage to the retina)
-lysis	Destruction, breaking down, or dissolving	Cytolysis (bursting of a cell); rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle)
-emia	In the blood	Leukemia (cancer of white blood cells); hypoxemia (low blood oxygen); carboxyhemoglobinemia (carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin)
-uria	In the urine	Proteinuria (protein in urine, a key sign of cadmium kidney damage); hematuria (blood in urine)
-oma	Tumor or abnormal growth	Mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining, overwhelmingly linked to asbestos); carcinoma (cancer arising in epithelial tissue)
-megaly	Abnormal enlargement	Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver); cardiomegaly (enlarged heart)
-osis	Abnormal condition or process, often chronic	Silicosis, asbestosis, pneumoconiosis; cyanosis
-penia	Deficiency or decreased number	Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia (benzene bone-marrow suppression)
-plasia	Growth or formation of cells	Hyperplasia; dysplasia; hypoplasia (bone marrow hypoplasia)
-sarcoma	Cancer of connective tissue or vessels	Angiosarcoma (vinyl chloride liver cancer)
-gen / -genic	Producing or causing	Carcinogen; mutagenic; teratogen
-algia	Pain	Myalgia (muscle pain); neuralgia (nerve pain)
-oxia / -oxemia	Oxygen level	Hypoxia; anoxia; hypoxemia
-capnia	Carbon dioxide level	Hypercapnia (excess CO₂, as in simple asphyxiants)
-pnea	Breathing	Dyspnea (shortness of breath); apnea (no breathing)
-spasm	Involuntary contraction	Bronchospasm (sulfur dioxide, isocyanates)
-edema	Fluid swelling	Pulmonary edema (phosgene, nitrogen dioxide)
-toxic / -toxin	Poisonous to / a poison	Hepatotoxic; neurotoxin
-cide	Kills	Sporicide; herbicide; rodenticide (see the -cide table above)

Important limitations — please read.

This is a recognition aid, not a clinical or regulatory reference. Effects listed are the most commonly cited/tested associations, not a complete toxicological profile. Real-world exposure effects depend on dose, duration, individual susceptibility, and route.

Not a substitute for the SDS or the current ACGIH TLV/BEI booklet. Always verify exposure limits, classifications, and control requirements against the current Safety Data Sheet and the applicable annual ACGIH TLVs & BEIs booklet before applying any of this in practice.

SPEP is not affiliated with BGC/ABIH or BCRSP. This page reflects my own study notes while working through CIH Chapter 4 — it is not official exam content. For the official CIH credential, visit gobgc.org/cih.