mechanism of toxicity
Description:
The specific sequence of events explaining how a substance causes a toxic effect
Context:
In food safety, a mechanism of toxicity is the specific way a substance—such as a chemical, contaminant, or additive—causes harmful effects in the body. It describes the biological processes or interactions that lead to damage, like affecting organs, cells, or DNA.
EFSA uses information on mechanisms of toxicity to understand how a substance can harm human health, predict possible risks, and identify which groups of people might be most sensitive. This knowledge helps make accurate risk assessments, set safe exposure limits, and provide scientific advice for regulations to protect consumers.