Toxicity

The poisonous character of certain substances or radiation for humans, animals and plants. A distinction is drawn between acute toxicity (a single exposure causes the toxic effect), sub-acute toxicity (the toxic effect is produced after repeated exposure within a specific period) and chronic toxicity (the toxic effect appears only after exposure for length periods, in some cases several decades). Toxicity is genaral stated as the Lethal Dose. When testing for toxicity, consideration should also be given to possible harmful effects which can occur through the interaction with other substances (so-called synergy), as well as Teratogenic and Mutagenic effects.