Indiana Pesticide Applicator Core Practice Exam

What type of toxicity is indicated by single exposure and short duration effects such as nausea and headaches?

1. Chronic toxicity

2. Acute toxicity

3. Subacute toxicity

4. Long-term toxicity

The correct answer is: Acute toxicity

Acute toxicity refers to the harmful effects resulting from a single exposure to a substance over a short duration of time. This type of toxicity is characterized by immediate symptoms that can occur within hours of exposure, such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, and other quick-onset effects. The key aspect of acute toxicity is that it typically results from a short-term exposure to a high level of a toxin. In contrast, chronic toxicity involves continuous or repeated exposure to a substance over a longer period, resulting in long-term health effects that may not appear for a considerable time after the initial exposure. Subacute toxicity is typically associated with repeated exposures, but at a lower level, occurring over a period of days to weeks, rather than from one single incident. Long-term toxicity indicates effects that emerge from prolonged exposure over an extended timeframe, often lasting months or years. Given the context of the symptoms stated—nausea and headaches following a single exposure—acute toxicity is the most accurate categorization.