Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Acute toxicity refers to the ability of a substance to cause harmful effects on living organisms after a single or short-term exposure. It measures the immediate adverse effects that can occur within a short period of time.
Chronic toxicity: Chronic toxicity refers to the long-term harmful effects caused by repeated or continuous exposure to a substance over an extended period of time.
LD50 (Median Lethal Dose): LD50 is a measure used in toxicology to determine the lethal dose at which 50% of test subjects die from exposure to a particular substance.
Hazardous substances: Hazardous substances are materials that have properties capable of causing harm or damage to humans, animals, or the environment. They may include chemicals, biological agents, and physical hazards.