Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Analytical Toxicology

Analytical toxicology is the detection, identification, and measurement of foreign compounds (xenobiotics) in biological and other specimens. Analytical methods are available for a very wide range of compounds: these may be chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse and natural toxins. Analytical toxicology can assist in the diagnosis, management, prognosis, and prevention of poisoning. In addition, analytical toxicology laboratories may be involved in a range of other activities such as the assessment of exposure following chemical incidents, therapeutic drug monitoring, forensic analyses, and monitoring for drugs of abuse. They may also be involved in research, for example in determining the pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic properties of substances or the efficacy of new treatment regimens.