The amount of a substance or other agent received by or reaching an organism, usually considered in relation to body weight, time, or another relevant measure.
Dose is an important concept in toxicology because biological effects can depend on how much of a substance reaches the body. Scientists may express dose in units such as milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.
The relationship between dose and harm is not always simple. Different substances can have different dose-response relationships, and factors such as route of exposure, duration, age, and individual susceptibility can influence effects.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Exposure: describes contact with or intake of a substance; dose concerns the amount received or reaching the body.
- Hazard: describes the potential to cause harm rather than the amount received.
SEE ALSO
