Which category does an LD-50 of 0-50 mg/kg fall under?

Study for the California Field Representative Branch 2 Test. Enhance your preparation with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

An LD-50 value indicates the lethal dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population, usually expressed in milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). When evaluating the toxicity of various substances, a lower LD-50 value corresponds to a higher level of toxicity.

An LD-50 of 0-50 mg/kg is categorized as "highly toxic" because this range signifies that only a small dose of the substance is required to achieve lethal effects in half of the test subjects. This classification is key in fields such as toxicology and pharmacology since it helps assess the risk associated with exposure to the substance.

In contrast, an LD-50 that is above this range would be categorized as moderately toxic or slightly toxic, indicating that larger doses are necessary to achieve similar effects. Therefore, identifying substances with an LD-50 of 0-50 mg/kg as highly toxic is essential for understanding the potential dangers they may pose to humans and animals.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy