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Acute Toxicity

Last updated: October 21, 2018

What Does Acute Toxicity Mean?

Acute toxicity is the effect on the human body of either a single exposure or repeated multiple exposures to a compound over a short period of time. Acute toxicity relates to adverse effects that occur within 14 days of exposure. The opposite to acute toxicity is chronic toxicity, which relates to adverse effects resulting from long term exposure to a compound. OSHA and the ACGIH set regulatory limits for short term exposure to substances that produce acute toxicity.

Safeopedia Explains Acute Toxicity

Acute toxicity regulatory values are found in data material sheets that are associated with the substance. The method of arriving at the limit depends on the method of ingestion, whether it is oral, dermal or by inhalation. The threshold limit value time weighted average is the maximum amount of exposure over an 8 hour work day period. The short term exposure limit (STEL), is the maximum level of exposure during any 15 minute period over an 8 hour working day.

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