Safety factor:

Composite (reductive) factor by which an observed or estimated no-observed-adverse- effect level (NOAEL) is divided to arrive at a criterion or standard that is considered safe or without appreciable risk. Also referred to as: Assessment factor, Uncertainty factor. [Source: IPCS/OECD]

Semiochemical:

Chemical that affects the behaviour of an organism. Such chemicals include pheromones, which are used for communication between members of the same species, and allelochemicals, which act as chemical signals between members of different species. [Source: FAO Efficacy guidelines]

Sensitization:

Two-phase process including i. Induction of specialized immunological memory in an individual by exposure to an allergen; and ii. Elicitation, i.e. production of a cell-mediated or antibody-mediated allergic response by exposure of a sensitized individual to an allergen. [Source: GHS]

Serious eye damage:

Production of tissue damage in the eye, or serious physical decay of vision, following application of a test substance to the anterior surface of the eye, which is not fully reversible within 21 days of application. [Source: GHS]

Skin corrosion:

Production of irreversible damage to the skin; namely, visible necrosis through the epidermis and into the dermis, following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours. Corrosive reactions are typified by ulcers, bleeding, bloody scabs, and, by the end of observation at 14 days, by discolouration due to blanching of the skin, complete areas of alopecia, and scars. Histopathology should be considered to evaluate questionable lesions. [Source: GHS]

Skin irritation:

Production of reversible damage to the skin following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours. [Source: GHS]

Skin sensitizer:

Substance that will lead to an allergic response following skin contact. [Source: GHS]

Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure (STOT-SE):

Production of specific, non-lethal target organ toxicity arising from a single exposure to a substance or a mixture. All significant health effects that can impair function, both reversible and irreversible, immediate and/or delayed – and not specifically addressed in the rest of the GHS – are included. [Source: GHS]

Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure (STOT-RE):

Production of specific, non-lethal target organ toxicity arising from a repeated exposure to a substance or a mixture. All significant health effects that can impair function, both reversible and irreversible, immediate and/or delayed – and not specifically addressed in the rest of the GHS – are included. [Source: GHS]

Specification:

Parameters and criteria defining the physical appearance and physical and chemical properties of technical and formulated pesticides linked with hazard and risk profiles. [Source: International Code of Conduct]

Subchronic:

Repeated over a short period, usually about 10 % of the life span; an imprecise term used to describe exposures of intermediate duration. Also referred to as “subacute”. [Source: IUPAC]

Subchronic toxicity test:

Animal experiment serving to study the effects produced by the test substance when administered in repeated doses (or continually in food, drinking water, air) over a period of up to about 90 days. [Source: IUPAC]

Supervised trials (for estimating maximum residue levels):

Scientific studies in which pesticides are applied to crops or animals according to specified conditions intended to reflect commercial practice after which harvested crops or tissues of slaughtered animals are analysed for pesticide residues. Usually specified conditions are those which approximate existing or proposed GAP. [Source: JMPR]

Supervised trials median residue (STMR):

Expected residue level (expressed as mg/kg) in the edible portion of a food commodity when a pesticide has been used according to maximum GAP conditions. The STMR is estimated as the median of the residue values (one from each trial) from supervised trials conducted according to maximum GAP conditions. [Source: JMPR]

Synergism (in toxicology):

Pharmacological or toxicological interaction in which the combined biological effect of exposure to two or more substances is greater than expected on the basis of the simple summation of the effects of each of the individual substances. [Source: IUPAC]