Which statement about pesticide toxicity is true?

The statement regarding pesticide toxicity that holds true is that a pesticide with an oral LD 50 of 25 mg/kg is more toxic than a pesticide with an LD 50 of 250 mg/kg. The LD 50, or lethal dose for 50% of a population, is a standard measure used to evaluate the acute toxicity of a substance. A lower LD 50 value indicates that a smaller amount of the pesticide is required to cause harm or death to half of the test subjects, thereby classifying it as more toxic.

In this context, an oral LD 50 of 25 mg/kg signifies that a relatively small dosage can be lethal, suggesting a higher potential for toxicity and risk when handling or applying that pesticide. On the other hand, a pesticide with an LD 50 of 250 mg/kg would require a larger amount to achieve the same lethal effect, reflecting its lower toxicity compared to the first pesticide.

Understanding these values is crucial for safe handling and application practices in pest control, as it directly relates to the potential risks associated with the use of different pesticides.