What does the abbreviation LD on a pesticide label signify?

The abbreviation LD on a pesticide label signifies Lethal Dose. This term refers to the amount of a substance required to cause death in a certain percentage of a test population, typically expressed in terms of milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). It is a critical measure because it helps determine the toxicity of the pesticide, informing users about its potential hazards.

Understanding Lethal Dose is essential for safe pesticide application, as it provides insight into how much of the chemical can be tolerated before it poses significant health risks. Awareness of LD values allows users to handle pesticides more effectively, promoting safe practices in agricultural settings.

The other terms, while relevant in different contexts, do not convey the same critical safety information that Lethal Dose does. Liquid Dispersal might refer to the form in which a pesticide is applied, while Long Duration and Limited Distribution are not standard terms associated with toxicity measurements in pesticide labels.