Median lethal dose

The median lethal dose (LD50) is a measure used to describe the toxicity of a substance. It represents the amount of a substance required to kill 50% of a test population, usually animals, within a specific time frame. This figure helps scientists and medical professionals understand how dangerous a chemical or drug can be. A lower LD50 indicates a more toxic substance, while a higher LD50 suggests it is less harmful. LD50 is commonly used in research and safety assessments to evaluate the risks of exposure to various compounds.