Final answer:
Acute toxicity is when a material causes immediate and serious toxic effects after exposure to a large amount of the substance, and differs from chronic toxicity, which results from long-term exposure to smaller amounts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a material causes immediate and serious toxic effects, specifically Class D: Subdivision 1, it is referred to as having acute toxicity. This means that exposure to a large amount of the substance can lead to rapid health detriments, which may include severe symptoms or even death after just a single exposure or over a very short time period, such as minutes, hours or a few days. Unlike chronic toxicity, which results from long-term exposure to smaller amounts of a substance, acute toxicity is characterized by its rapid onset and severe nature. This form of toxicity could be represented on a dose-response curve, demonstrating a severe response at a high dose level. Corrosive substances can also have acute toxic effects, as they can damage tissue on contact through chemical reactions.
Specific examples of acute toxicity might include ingestion or exposure to high levels of hazardous chemicals found in some household products, such as strong acids or heavy metals, which can cause immediate harm upon contact with living tissues. Understanding the different toxic effects, whether immediate as in acute toxicity or delayed as in chronic effects, is important for safety and prevention of harm from these substances.