What term describes illness resulting from long-term exposure to hazardous substances?

• A. Acute toxicity
• B. Chronic toxicity
• C. Immediate hypersensitivity
• D. Acute infection

Answer: (B)

Chronic toxicity describes illness that results from long-term exposure to hazardous substances. When exposure happens repeatedly over months or years, substances can accumulate in the body and cause health effects that develop gradually rather than immediately. This is different from acute toxicity, which involves harmful effects from a single or short-term high-dose exposure. Immediate hypersensitivity refers to quick allergic reactions, not cumulative exposure, and acute infection is a rapid illness caused by a pathogen. So the long-term exposure scenario best fits chronic toxicity.