Working in a Toxicology Lab is a rewarding and challenging career option. It’s important to understand the different aspects of the lab’s work, including sample acquisition and testing. If you’re considering a career in the field, you should consider becoming accredited and certified. Depending on your interests, you can also choose to do research, which is an important part of a career in the Toxicology industry.
Testing
The goal of the tests in a toxicology lab is to identify poisons in a substance. These tests may include a variety of substances, including medications, cosmetics, food additives, and air fresheners. Toxicological tests are conducted using several different methods, including applying substances to the skin or injected into the body. Some tests use animals, such as guinea pigs, to see how the substances affect them. Other methods may involve administering the substance orally or using a mask over an animal. These tests may be repeated over many months, sometimes for the entire life of the animal.
Testing in a toxicology laboratory is an important component of the rehabilitation process. While teachings and counseling from a treatment center may be helpful, an addict can still struggle to resist the urge to use drugs. To determine whether an individual is abstaining from drug use, the treatment center conducts regular drug tests to ensure sobriety. While these tests are not always mandatory, they are a crucial part of the recovery process.
Accreditation
Two kinds of accreditation are available for toxicology labs. The ISO/IEC 17025 and ABFT accreditation standards both set the standards for toxicology labs. To become accredited, toxicology labs must meet specific requirements, which include on-site peer reviews, proficiency testing, and adherence to professional standards. ABFT accreditation is also available for toxicology labs’ personnel. It demonstrates commitment to quality assurance and best business practices.
The ABFT standards were last revised in 1996. The first toxicology lab accredited by the ABFT was the Maryland Office of Chief Medical Examiner Toxicology Lab. As of this writing, there are 40 accredited toxicology laboratories in the U.S. and Canada. The ABFT standards are intended to provide assurances of test results that are of the highest quality. While there are other factors involved, ensuring that your toxicology laboratory is ABFT-certified is a good start.
Working at a toxicology lab
If you are interested in a career in toxicology, you may have many questions. You may wonder how much toxicology salaries are. Depending on your experience, location, and industry, toxicology salaries may vary significantly. Pharmaceutical and other industries often pay higher salaries, and toxicologists may also have access to additional benefits such as health coverage and company pensions. Toxicology salaries are provided as a guideline only and will vary widely. While toxicologists generally work regular hours, they may be required to work evenings, weekends, and even some nightshifts.
If you’re interested in working in forensic toxicology, you can choose to specialize in the field. Forensic toxicologists test drugs and alcohol on traffic law enforcement officials, and they may also analyze animal samples for wildlife criminal investigators. Although this job requires extensive laboratory work, forensic toxicologists often spend a portion of their day at crime scenes. It also requires a lot of standing and prolonged exposure to chemicals and agents.