half-life
The time required for 50% of a substance present in an individual, population or ecosystem to break down or be eliminated naturally. It is often used to describe the disappearance of potentially harmful substances such as chemical toxins
Half-life is the time it takes for half of a chemical, contaminant, or pesticide in a substance, food, or organism to break down or be eliminated. It helps scientists understand how long a substance stays in the body, the environment, or food, which is important for assessing exposure and potential risks.
EFSA uses half-life data to evaluate how long chemicals or residues persist in animals, plants, or humans, helping to determine safe levels of exposure, set withdrawal periods for veterinary drugs, and establish maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides and other substances in food.