LD50: (Lethal Dose 50) is the dose of a chemical which kills 50% of a sample population. In full reporting, the dose, treatment and observation period should be given. Further, LD50, LC50, ED50 and similar figures are strictly only comparable when the age, sex and nutritional state of the animals is specified. Nevertheless, such values are widely reported and used as an effective measure of the potential toxicity of chemicals. (See also LC50).
