What is the term for the type of toxicity resulting from a single exposure or short-term exposure?

Acute toxicity refers to the harmful effects resulting from a single exposure or a short-term exposure to a substance. This type of toxicity typically manifests relatively quickly after the exposure and can lead to immediate symptoms or health issues, often evident within hours or days. Acute toxicity is crucial for understanding the immediate risks associated with chemical exposure, particularly in environments where quick evaluations and responses to chemical incidents are necessary.

Chronic toxicity, in contrast, involves the long-term effects of continuous or repeated exposure to a toxic substance, which can take months or years to manifest. Subacute toxicity refers to exposure that occurs over a longer duration than acute toxicity but is not chronic. Carcinogenic toxicity specifically pertains to substances that can lead to cancer, a much longer-term effect that requires different considerations than the immediate effects associated with acute toxicity.

Therefore, the definition of acute toxicity aligns seamlessly with the context of single or short-term exposure, making it the correct choice.