Abstract
New concepts and procedures derived from related fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, immunochemistry, and genetics, are now at the disposal of the industrial toxicologist to aid in the solution of problems in two broad areas of investigation, (1) early indicators of response to toxic agents, (2) mechanisms of toxic stress. Shown here are many ways of using body metabolites, tissue enzymes, alone and in combination, and tissue metals for the detection of early responses to toxic agents while the responses are still reversible. Immunochemical changes not heretofore recognized are now shown to be often a response to inhaled chemicals. Highlighted are mechanisms of action of CCL4, oxidant gases, radiomimetic chemicals, organic phosphate insecticides and other substances of industrial interest.