Sensitive Humans Versus Average Persons in Toxicology

Abstract

The sensitivity of human beings against toxic insults or pharmaceuticals variesconsiderably. This fact has various reasons, e.g., health status, age, body weight,as well as genetic background. An increased sensitivity against a noxious substancecan have severe or even lethal consequences. Therefore, it is compulsoryfor toxicologists to take these differences into account when establishing limitsfor toxic compounds. ©Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014