LC50

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LC50

The LC50 or Lethal Concentration 50% is a measure of the lethal dose of a toxin, radiation, or pathogen. The value of LC50 represents the concentration of a substance in air or water that kills half of a population of test organisms in a certain amount of time.

Definition[edit | edit source]

The LC50 value is commonly used as a general indicator of a substance's acute toxicity. A lower LC50 is indicative of increased toxicity. The test is usually conducted on fish, rats, mice, or rabbits with the results extrapolated for humans.

Calculation[edit | edit source]

The LC50 is calculated using a probit analysis or logit analysis. The LC50 value is expressed in terms of mass per volume, typically as milligrams of substance per liter of water (mg/L) for aquatic organisms, or milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) for terrestrial organisms.

Applications[edit | edit source]

LC50 values are used in regulatory and research contexts to assess and compare acute toxicity. They are also used in the classification and labeling of chemicals for regulatory purposes.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While LC50 values are useful for comparing the toxicity of different substances, they do not provide a complete picture of a substance's toxicity under all conditions. Factors such as exposure time, the health and age of the organisms, and environmental conditions can all affect toxicity.

See also[edit | edit source]

LC50 Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD