Toxikicitás

Toxikicitás refers to the degree to which a substance can harm an organism. This harm can manifest in various ways, depending on the substance, the dose, the route of exposure, and the individual organism's characteristics. It is a fundamental concept in toxicology, the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms.

The toxicity of a substance is often described by its dose-response relationship, which illustrates how the magnitude of the toxic effect changes with the dose of the substance. A common measure is the lethal dose 50 (LD50), which is the dose of a substance that is expected to kill 50% of a tested population. Lower LD50 values indicate higher toxicity. However, LD50 is not the only indicator, as many substances can cause non-lethal but significant health problems at lower doses.

Toxicity can be acute, occurring rapidly after a short-term exposure, or chronic, developing over a longer period due to repeated or continuous exposure. The effects can be local, affecting the area of contact, or systemic, impacting various organs or systems throughout the body. Factors such as age, sex, genetic makeup, and overall health can influence an individual's susceptibility to toxic substances. Understanding toxikicitás is crucial for risk assessment, regulation of chemicals, and the development of safety guidelines in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental protection.