Define the term "acute toxicity" in relation to pesticides.

Acute toxicity refers specifically to the harmful effects that occur after a single exposure to a substance, in this case, pesticides. This type of toxicity is characterized by immediate and often severe reactions that can manifest within a short time frame following exposure, such as a few hours or days. Acute toxicity is crucial for assessing the potential hazards of pesticides, as it helps determine how they can affect human health, animals, and the environment in a direct and immediate manner.

Understanding acute toxicity is important for safe pesticide use, as it influences labeling, safety guidelines, and the training of applicators. Evaluating acute toxicity allows for effective risk management strategies to minimize exposure and protect both the applicators and the surrounding ecosystem from drastic negative effects following a single incident of exposure to pesticides.