Severity is typically assessed through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitatively, it can be measured by determining the dose-response relationship, which illustrates the correlation between the dose of a substance and the effect it produces. The LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of the population) is a common metric used to express severity. Qualitatively, severity is evaluated based on clinical signs and symptoms, from mild effects like skin irritation to severe outcomes such as organ failure or death.
