NO IMMUNITY FOR POISONS: A TOXICOLOGICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEW
Author
John Chimerenka Ifenkwe
Abstract
The adage “no immunity for poisons” encapsulates a core principle of toxicology: humans lack innate or guaranteed protection against chemical and biological toxins, irrespective of past exposures, dose or perceived tolerance. Drawing from toxicological principles such as the dose–response relationship, bioaccumulation, and immunotoxicity, this review compiles evidence that low-level or chronic exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other environmental pollutants can perturb physiological systems and elevate disease risk. Case studies from clinical toxicology and public health surveillance demonstrate that many poisons evade or exhaust compensatory mechanisms, producing acute toxicity, chronic organ damage, or delayed carcinogenic effects. Furthermore, vulnerable populations - children, pregnant women, the elderly, and socio-economically disadvantaged groups bear disproportionate risk, underscoring the public health imperative of primary prevention, regulatory oversight, and evidence based toxicological assessment. The concept “no immunity for poisons” thus serves as a clarion call for integrating toxicology into public health policy, risk communication, and community based intervention strategies worldwide.
Keywords
Poison, toxicology, immunity, public health, heavy metals, environmental health.
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References
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