What can be toxic?

Answer 1

Everything can be toxic, it depends on the dose. In the 1500's Paracelsus, a scientist sometimes called the father of toxicology, said: : "All things are poison and nothing is without poison, only the dose permits

: something not to be poisonous." The usual toxics are thought to be things like arsenic, thallium, cyanide, benzene, lead, nerve gas and so on. These all get a skull and crossbones on their lables.

However, materials like oxygen, water, iron, Vitamin A, table salt (everyday things we all eat drink and breathe) can be toxic under te wrong conditions and to some organisms.

On the other hand, some organisms can eat drink and breathe materials that would kill humans very quickly.

Answer 2

Toxic substances can include chemicals like pesticides, cleaning products, and lead; medications taken in incorrect doses; poisonous plants or mushrooms; and substances like alcohol or illicit drugs when consumed in excess. Additionally, toxic relationships or environments that cause emotional harm can also be harmful.