Pharmacological interaction and combined toxicity of exposure to environmental chemicals

Environmental chemicals are capable of interaction with each other and with endogenous substances to minimize or augment their individual toxicities. Interaction between chemicals could take place via the absorption, distribution and excretory routes. Induction and inhibition of the hepatic drug metabolising enzymes also play a significant role in chemical activation, detoxification and interactions. Knowledge of the various mechanisms of toxicity of combined exposure to chemical compounds, in the work or natural environment, are invaluable in predicting their human hazards.