What is "acute toxicity"?

"Acute toxicity" refers specifically to the harmful effects that result from a single or short-term exposure to a pesticide. This concept is crucial in understanding how pesticides can impact health and the environment immediately after exposure. Acute toxicity is typically measured through various exposure routes, such as ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, and the severity of the effects can vary significantly depending on the level of exposure and the chemical properties of the pesticide involved.

The focus on single or short-term exposures distinguishes acute toxicity from chronic toxicity, which deals with harmful effects that develop over prolonged periods of exposure. Understanding acute toxicity is important for safe handling, application, and emergency response planning for pesticide use, ensuring immediate risks to health and safety can be effectively managed.