• Question: How does a substance become toxic?

    Asked by lgs10joneg to Jemma, John, Katie, Lisa on 22 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by yunus67.
    • Photo: Jemma Ransom

      Jemma Ransom answered on 22 Jun 2012:

      Hi @Igs10joneg,

      it depends on the substance. Generally speaking, a substance is toxic if it interferes with a bodily process such as generating energy. I’ll take alcohol as an example. The liver breaks this down to more water soluble and easily excreted (peed out) substances. But in the process of doing this, it generates something called formaldehyde, which is incredibly toxic, it stops the proteins in your body working.

      Jemma

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