nonpoisonous

Nonpoisonous is an adjective used to describe something that does not cause poisoning under normal exposure conditions. In everyday language it may refer to animals, plants, or substances that are not toxic to humans or other animals. The term is less precise than scientific categories and is often replaced by non-toxic or not poisonous in formal writing.

In biology and toxicology, the risk of harm from toxins depends on dose, route of exposure, and the nature of the toxin. Poisonous describes organisms that produce toxins that can cause harm if ingested, absorbed, or touched. Venomous refers specifically to organisms that deliver toxins through a bite, sting, or specialized apparatus. A nonpoisonous organism either lacks toxins or does not pose a poisoning risk under typical handling.

Examples include many common edible plants and animals that are not toxic to humans; most domesticated pets such as dogs and cats are nonpoisonous toward humans, though they can injure by bites. Some animals thought of as dangerous are poisonous or venomous, such as poison dart frogs or pit vipers, while there are many nonpoisonous snakes and lizards. Among fungi, many edible mushrooms are nonpoisonous, whereas some mushrooms are deadly poisonous.

Because the term can be ambiguous, especially across disciplines, professionals may prefer precise terminology such as non-toxic, not poisonous, toxin-free, or allergen-free depending on context. Caution remains important when foraging, handling wildlife, or consuming wild mushrooms, as individual sensitivities and accidental exposure can occur even with nonpoisonous organisms.