What does a toxicology study investigate?

A toxicology study specifically investigates the effects of toxic substances on living organisms. This discipline is crucial for understanding how various chemicals, environmental pollutants, and other harmful agents can adversely affect human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. It encompasses the study of dose-response relationships, which help indicate the level at which a substance becomes harmful, as well as the mechanisms through which these substances cause harm. This information is vital for regulatory decisions, public health policies, and risk assessments.

In contrast, the other options address broader environmental issues. Investigating the impact of legal regulations on public health pertains more to public policy and law rather than toxicology. The economic implications of environmental policies focus on cost-benefit analyses, which do not delve into the biological effects of toxic substances. Similarly, the relationship between climate change and biodiversity is an ecological study that examines how shifting climates affect living systems rather than the specific impacts of toxic agents on organisms.