Lethal dose

Lethal dose refers to the amount of a substance, such as a drug or poison, that is enough to cause death in a significant portion of a population, typically 50%. It is often expressed as the LD50 value. This measure helps scientists assess how dangerous a substance is. The lower the lethal dose, the more potent or toxic the substance. It's an important parameter in toxicology for understanding risks and establishing safety limits, though individual responses can vary based on factors like age, health, and exposure route.