QSAR models play a crucial role in toxicology for several reasons: 1. Cost-Effectiveness: They reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming laboratory experiments and animal testing. 2. Safety: They help in predicting the potential toxicity of new chemicals before they are synthesized, thereby ensuring better safety protocols. 3. Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory agencies, such as the EPA and ECHA, often require QSAR analysis as part of chemical risk assessments.