American Chemical Society (ACS) Laboratory Safety Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The combined effect of two substances being more toxic than the sum of their individual effects is referred to as synergy. This phenomenon occurs when the interaction between two chemicals results in a heightened toxic response, surpassing what would be expected based solely on their individual toxicities.

In practical terms, synergy can lead to greater hazards in laboratory settings, environmental contexts, or clinical scenarios, as even if two substances are relatively safe when used alone, their combination could pose a significant risk. Understanding this concept is critical for conducting safe experiments and managing chemical exposures effectively.

Other terms in the context represent different interactions: antagonism indicates that one substance mitigates the effects of another; potentiation refers to a situation where a substance that is not toxic by itself enhances the toxic effect of another; and the additive effect describes a scenario where the combined toxicity of two substances equals the sum of their separate effects. These distinctions are important for identifying and managing risks associated with chemical use.