Environmental toxicology is a branch of toxicology that studies the effects of chemicals and pollutants on living organisms in the environment, including humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems in general.<br /><br />Environmental toxicology is a vital field today due to the increasing pollution resulting from industrial and agricultural activities and various chemicals, and the resulting harmful effects on public health and biodiversity.<br /><br />Common sources of environmental toxins:<br /><br />Pesticides and herbicides<br /><br />Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium<br /><br />Industrial and petrochemical waste<br /><br />Microplastics<br /><br />Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)<br /><br />Effects of environmental toxins:<br /><br />Disruption of vital functions of organisms (such as reproduction, growth, and immunity)<br /><br />Accumulation of toxins in food chains (bioaccumulation and biomagnification)<br /><br />Threat to biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems<br /><br />Human health risks (cancer, neurological disorders, birth defects)<br /><br />Methods of assessment and measurement:<br /><br />Bioassays on model organisms<br /><br />Chemical analyses of pollutants in soil, water, and air<br /><br />Environmental modeling<br /><br />Biological indicators<br /><br />The role of environmental toxins in sustainability:<br /><br />Ecotoxicology contributes to:<br /><br />Assessing the environmental risks of chemicals<br /><br />Supporting environmental policies and enacting regulatory laws<br /><br />Improving manufacturing and agricultural practices to reduce toxic impacts<br /><br />Protecting wildlife and resources Natural<br /><br />Environmental toxicology represents the first line of defense against pollution and environmental protection. Awareness by society and researchers of its effects is a fundamental step toward achieving sustainable development that balances industrial progress with ecosystem preservation.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first university in Iraq.<br/><br/><a href=https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ target=_blank>Goal 13 - Climate action</a>