What is a key characteristic of a pesticide with a small LD50 value?

A pesticide with a small LD50 value is considered to be more toxic. The LD50, or lethal dose for 50% of the test population, is a standard measure used to assess the toxicity of a substance; it indicates the amount of pesticide that is required to cause death in half of a given population of test animals. A smaller LD50 value suggests that only a small amount of the pesticide is needed to achieve a lethal effect, which directly correlates with higher toxicity.

This means that pesticides with small LD50 values pose greater risks to health and safety, as they can be harmful or even fatal at lower doses compared to those with larger LD50 values. Understanding this toxicity metric is crucial for applicators as it guides them in the safe handling, application, and management of these substances to mitigate potential risks to humans, animals, and the environment.