What does the term "acute toxicity" refer to?

"Acute toxicity" refers to the harmful effects that occur shortly after exposure to a pesticide. This concept is essential in understanding how chemicals can impact living organisms immediately after contact or ingestion. Acute toxicity is typically measured through tests that determine the effects of a single or short-term exposure to a substance, which can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or, in severe cases, more critical health issues or death.

In contrast, other terms refer to different types of toxicity or effects. For instance, the long-term effects of pesticide exposure relate to chronic toxicity, which develops after prolonged or repeated exposure, while delayed effects refer to those symptoms that emerge after time has passed, often when the pesticide is processed or metabolized by the organism. Thus, focusing on the immediate harmful effects of a substance establishes the meaning of acute toxicity and highlights its relevance in safety assessments and regulatory frameworks concerning pesticide usage.