poisonousness

Poisonousness refers to the inherent quality of a substance to cause harm or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by an organism. This harm can manifest in various ways, depending on the specific poison and the organism affected. Poisons are typically chemical compounds, although some biological entities like certain fungi or bacteria produce toxins that can be considered poisonous.

The effect of a poisonous substance is dose-dependent; a small amount might have no noticeable effect, while a larger quantity can be lethal. This relationship is often quantified by the lethal dose 50 (LD50), which represents the amount of a substance required to kill 50% of a test population.

Poisonousness is a critical concept in toxicology, the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on living organisms and the ecosystem. It is also a fundamental consideration in fields such as medicine, environmental science, and food safety. Understanding poisonousness is essential for developing antidotes, setting safety standards, and protecting public health and the environment from harmful substances.