How Do Uncertainty Factors Relate to the Margin of Safety?
The margin of safety is a related concept used in toxicology to describe the difference between the estimated exposure level and the level at which adverse effects occur. Uncertainty factors are applied to the NOAEL to establish a reference dose or concentration that considers both variability and uncertainty. The margin of safety is then calculated as the ratio between this reference dose and the actual exposure level. A larger margin of safety indicates more confidence that the exposure is below levels of concern.
