nontoxic
Meaning of nontoxic: A nontoxic substance does not produce injury or a poisoning effect at the amount and route of exposure being described.
Definition of nontoxic
Nontoxic describes a substance that does not cause poisoning or harmful injury under the exposure being considered, in contrast to a substance capable of producing such effects. The word is commonly used to describe products, materials, or chemical exposures that are not expected to cause harm when used, handled, or ingested as intended.
Whether something is accurately described as nontoxic depends on the dose, route, and duration of exposure, since a substance considered nontoxic at a typical exposure level can behave differently at a much higher amount or through an unintended route. Labeling and safety data generally specify the conditions under which a product is considered nontoxic.
In a poisoning evaluation, confirming that an ingested or contacted substance is nontoxic is an important step, since it can determine whether further testing or treatment is needed.
Used in a sentence
Poison control confirmed that the small amount of the household product ingested was nontoxic at that quantity.
Good to know
A substance labeled nontoxic is judged so under a specified exposure and amount; the same substance can still cause harm at a much larger dose or through an unintended route.
Word origin
Where “nontoxic” comes from
Formed from non- (Latin, "not") and toxic, from Greek toxikon, meaning "poison for arrows," from toxon, meaning "bow."