A poisonous substance derived from an organism is referred to as which term?

A poisonous substance derived from an organism is referred to as which term?

• A. Poison
• B. Toxicants
• C. Toxins
• D. Venom

Answer: (B)

Understanding how poisonous substances are named helps when discussing hazards. A substance that can cause harm and comes from a living organism is a toxin, with venom being a specialized toxin delivered by a bite or sting. Toxicant is a broader term used in industrial hygiene to refer to any toxic substance, regardless of origin, including natural toxins from organisms and synthetic chemicals. Poison is a very general label that doesn’t specify origin. So, when the question asks for a term for a poisonous substance derived from an organism, the broad IH term that fits this context is toxicant, because it covers toxic substances from biological sources as part of the hazard inventory. Venom and toxin are more specific cases, and poison is too general.

Understanding how poisonous substances are named helps when discussing hazards. A substance that can cause harm and comes from a living organism is a toxin, with venom being a specialized toxin delivered by a bite or sting. Toxicant is a broader term used in industrial hygiene to refer to any toxic substance, regardless of origin, including natural toxins from organisms and synthetic chemicals. Poison is a very general label that doesn’t specify origin.

So, when the question asks for a term for a poisonous substance derived from an organism, the broad IH term that fits this context is toxicant, because it covers toxic substances from biological sources as part of the hazard inventory. Venom and toxin are more specific cases, and poison is too general.