Abstract
Exposure to toxic chemicals may adversely affect a number of organ systems and hepatic, cardiac, pulmonary and central nervous system function may be severely compromised. In some instances, the concomitant behavioral changes may be unremarkable, as in the case of asbestos exposure which may eventually result in the development of a rapidly fatal mesothelioma, as long as 25 to 30 years after initial contact (16). In contrast, other toxic agents such as lead and methylmercury may produce early and direct behavioral effects which range from interference with sensory and motor integration to profound intellectual deficits and emotional disturbances (3, 13).
Supported by grant DA-4R6919 from the National Institute on Drugs Abuse.
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Mello, N.K. (1975). Behavioral toxicology: A developing discipline. In: Weiss, B., Laties, V.G. (eds) Behavioral Pharmacology. FASEB Monographs, vol 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2634-2_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2634-2_12
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