Veterinary Taxicology

TOXICANT RELATED FACTORS

• The physical state in which a toxicant is presented will have a considerable effect on its absorption and consequently on its intoxication.
• In general the greater the solubility of the material, the greater is the extent to which it is absorbed.
• The state of subdivision of a solid material is also important. Thus, in the case of zinc phosphide, relatively small particles produce rapid death due to the liberation of phosphine, whereas larger particles are associated with delayed death due to hepatotoxicity.
• When the material is presented in solution, the nature of the carrier solvent will be important.
• Absorption from oily, especially vegetable oil, solutions will be greater than that from aqueous solutions or emulsions of the toxic agent.