American Chemical Society (ACS) Laboratory Safety Practice Test 2025 - Free Lab Safety Practice Questions and Study Guide

The toxicity of a chemical in a subject can be influenced by various personal factors such as age and gender. These factors can affect how a chemical is absorbed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. For instance, younger individuals may have different physiological responses to chemicals compared to older adults due to differences in body composition, metabolic rates, or organ function. Similarly, gender can influence toxicity levels due to hormonal differences and varying body fat percentages, which can affect how chemicals are stored in the body. Understanding these personal factors is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with chemical exposure and ensuring safety in laboratory settings.

The other factors, while they may have some influence in certain circumstances, do not directly impact the inherent toxicity of a chemical in the same way that personal characteristics do. Ambient temperature can affect chemical stability and reaction rates but not necessarily the intrinsic toxicity. The time of day might have an effect based on circadian rhythms, but its influence is often minimal compared to direct biological factors. Lastly, the type of equipment used can affect the method of exposure or measurement but does not change the toxicological properties of the chemical itself. Thus, personal factors are key to understanding an individual's risk when exposed to chemicals.