A science blog with Eric Berger

Looking for a can’t miss career? Try toxicology.


Let’s say you’re in college, and concerned about your future amid the present economic crisis. You want to pick a career that offers growth and a promising income during the future. May I make a suggestion?


I couldn’t help having this thought earlier today when I met with Michael Depledge, a toxicologist who is a member of the United Kingdom’s Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent standing body established in 1970 to advise the Queen, the Government, Parliament and the public on environmental issues.



Last November the commission published a report (see a copy) on steps that ought to be taken to ensure that nanomaterials are developed in way that ensures they are safe to humans and the environment.

There’s no single instance of engineered nanoparticles causing humans harm, but they are incredibly tiny and have been shown in lab tests to penetrate cell membranes, damage genetic material and generally cause havoc. So there are legitimate concerns.

But what will these novel chemicals — now available in more than 800 consumer products — do once they actually get into the environment?

“We are profoundly ignorant of that question,” Depledge said.

To that end scientists and governments around the world are scrambling to test nanomaterials, and develop regulatory frameworks that properly account for nanotechnology. It’s safe to say that with its REACH Act, Europe is ahead of the United States. (See more on state of U.S. nano regulation). But no one’s ready for nano now.

Consider this problem: one of the most popular materials are carbon nanotubes, which have some truly fantastic properties and potential applications (space elevator, anyone?). There are already 50,000 types of carbon nanotubes out there, some of which are almost certainly toxic, and some of which are benign.

And that’s just one of hundreds or thousands of new types of nanomaterials.

“It’s going to take us years and years and years to put together a database on all of these materials,” Depledge said.

And it’s going to take many, many more toxicologists than presently working today to accomplish that.

Categories: Nanotechnology
Eric Berger

13 Responses

  1. Old Gringo Stan says:

    But but but, I’m an old downsized electrical engineer with a world of experience that no one wants right now. A year ago I was in extreme demand.

    My how a year changes the job market. Would you believe there are those wanting to make money off of me? reeducating and retraining :) :) :) Wonder how many kids are falling for these dumb ads to train them in contruction management?? sad sad sad. Kind of like training to be an ROV operator :) No jobs, these companies train and hire from within.

  2. A21CAV says:

    Speaking of toxic…

    My apologies in advance for being so far off subject, but did you know the voting for the name of the new space station Node 3 is :

    (Steven) Colbert: 115,000

    Serenity: 98,641

  3. craig says:

    Eric you are very timely with this topic. It is going to take a whole heard of Toxicologists to get to make any sense out of all the toxic assets being held by banks throughout the great land.

  4. craig says:


    Posted by Eric Berger at March 10, 2009 05:52 PM

    Obama has got a lot more on his plate than anyone could do adequate justice to each one of them but I am a lot more comfortable having him make decisions related to attempting to police these little guys than I would be having for profit businesses voluntarily policing themselves which was most always his predecessor’s predilection. History tells us that when money rules it tends to cloud the mind when it comes to safety issues.

  5. fred says:

    So how does one get a Degree in ‘Toxicology’ ?

    Or WHERE do they get one ?

    Or WHERE to they learn enough to be considered worthy in the field of Toxicology ?

    The article leaves more questions than it does answers.

  6. Stuart Dryer says:

    Toxicology is typically a graduate degree (MS or PhD). The later takes 4-6 years after the BS degree. Most of these programs are found in association with Departments of Pharmacology in medical schools or pharmacy schools — sometimes these departments are actually called Pharmacology and Toxicology to reflect this. (This makes sense, the difference between a drug and a poison is often subtle to the point of being almost indistinguishable). A separate branch called Environmental Toxicology can sometimes be found in schools of public health or as a larger interdisciplinary program.

    There are several branches of toxicology, such as neurotoxicology, analytical toxicology, biochemical toxicology, etc.

  7. KATHYLUE says:

    ey I am looking for a career change. Where do I start? where? I will start as a grunt getting dirt samples…

  8. Kate says:

    Eric, feel free to delete if this isn’t appropriate, but to answer some of the reader comments, there is actually a workforce shortage in toxicology, and they’re looking to recruit. We covered this last summer: Hope you and others find that useful.

  9. Festus says:

    Re: “So how does one get a Degree in ‘Toxicology’ ?

    Or WHERE do they get one ?

    Or WHERE to they learn enough to be considered worthy in the field of Toxicology ?”

    Indeed, how does one obtain a PC?

    Or WHERE does one obtain Internet access?

    Or WHERE does one find the Google website?

  10. Dr. J says:

    Obviously anything in the medical fields (doctors, nurses, med techs, etc.) is a huge growth industry and will be for a long time if the Obamamedicalplan makes it through Congress. Hundreds of billions will be thrown at medical care and research by the government every year. And of course anything related to the government takeover of formerly private industries and companies will also be huge growth fields for new grads and jobs. As Obama institutes socialism in America, the government will be by far the largest employer, private enterprise is out.

  11. ttyler5 says:


    This will also create demand for toxicologists outside the government-created bureaucracy.

    IOW, who polices the government nanopolice?

    Given the bias in the current admin toward environmentalism

    — with its toxic attitude toward business and productive economic activity and its bias toward *economically-destructive over-regulation*

    — we will also need a Scientific organization to **police the work of the EPA and FDA and other government bureaus** on nano toxicity and regulation.

    The history of the government’s regulatory Science bureaucracy does not recommend that we base our economic future on it.

    And this will certainly create a demand for toxicologists outside of mere government employment.

  12. Penn State University has an undergraduate program in Toxicology.

    One of only eight BS degrees in Toxicology (and Pharmacology) in the US, the curriculum includes required courses in pharmacology, molecular and cellular toxicology, and environmental toxicology.

  13. Eric Berger says:

    James, Kate & Stuart,

    Thanks much for your thoughtful and helpful replies.