Georgia Pest Control Practice Test

Which pesticide application method is most harmful based on LD50 ratings?

1. LDsol10

2. LD5075

3. LD5050

4. LDso125

The correct answer is: LD5050

The most harmful pesticide application method, as indicated by LD50 ratings, is the one associated with the LD5050 value. LD50, or lethal dose for 50% of the population, is a standard measurement used to assess the acute toxicity of a substance. A lower LD50 value means that less of the substance is required to cause harm to half the test population, indicating higher toxicity. In this context, LD5050 signifies the highest level of toxicity among the given options, as it suggests that this particular pesticide requires a smaller amount to reach lethality compared to the others. Consequently, when determining which pesticide is the most harmful, understanding the implication of LD50 values is essential, as they provide a quantitative measure of a pesticide's danger to both humans and non-target organisms. The option with the LD5050 rating thus reflects the highest potential risk associated with its application.