Acute toxicity testing

Acute toxicity tests are used to determine the lethal dose/concentration of a substance that causes death in 50% of the test population (LD/LC50) during short-term exposure. They are the only standardised toxicity tests where death is the intended endpoint. We have provided recommendations to support reduction and refinement of these tests through in-house data analysis projects, supported by expert working groups.

Reducing and refining regulatory acute inhalation toxicity tests through use of evident toxicity in place of the lethality endpoint.

You can read more about this project on our project page: Adoption of the Fixed Concentration Procedure for acute inhalation studies.

Fish acute toxicity studies are the most widely conducted ecotoxicology test. They are currently required to meet global regulations across many chemical sectors before products can be marketed, including agrochemicals, biocides, and industrial chemicals. 

Removing the requirement for single dose acute toxicity tests from the international pharmaceutical guidelines.

You can read more about this project on our project page: Single dose acute toxicity studies.

Identifying opportunities to waive requirements for acute toxicity testing of chemicals and use alternative approaches.

You can read more about this project on our project page: Redundancy in the acute toxicity testing of chemicals.