What does the term Lethal Dose Fifty (LD50) refer to?

The term Lethal Dose Fifty (LD50) is a standard measurement used to assess the toxicity of a substance. It specifically refers to the dose required to kill half of the test population, usually in animal studies. This metric is crucial in toxicology for evaluating the relative safety or danger of a chemical compound. Understanding LD50 helps researchers determine how much of a substance can be administered before it poses a significant risk of mortality.

Because of its specific definition, LD50 is widely used in regulatory contexts to inform decisions on pesticide safety and usage. This measure allows for comparisons between different substances, guiding the development of safer alternatives and the establishment of usage guidelines for pesticides in Oregon and other regions.