Which term refers to the degree to which a chemical is poisonous?

The term that refers to the degree to which a chemical is poisonous is toxicity. Toxicity measures the harmful effects that a substance can have on living organisms and is often expressed in terms of dose or concentration. It encompasses various aspects, including the nature of the chemical, how it interacts with biological systems, and the conditions under which exposure occurs.

Understanding toxicity is crucial for evaluating the safety of chemicals, especially in pest management, where precise measurements can inform appropriate usage and application rates to minimize risks to humans, pets, and the environment.

Other options refer to different concepts: a toxin is typically a naturally occurring poison produced by living organisms, while a toxicant is a synthetic or man-made substance that can be toxic. Toxic is an adjective that describes something containing poison, but does not specifically quantify or measure the degree of harmfulness.