What does LD50 represent in toxicology?

In toxicology, LD50 stands for "lethal dose for 50% of the population." This term is used to quantify the toxicity of a substance, indicating the amount of a substance that, when administered, is expected to cause death in 50% of a defined population, typically in laboratory animals such as rats or mice. This measure provides a standardized way to assess and compare the acute toxicity of different chemicals, highlighting their potential risks.

The significance of LD50 arises from its role in toxicological studies where understanding the potency of a substance is critical for safety evaluations. A lower LD50 value indicates higher toxicity, meaning that less of the substance is required to cause 50% mortality among the test subjects, making it a vital piece of information for regulatory and safety standards.