What Does TEF Stand For?

TEF stands for Toxicity Equivalency Factor

The Toxicity Equivalency Factor (TEF) is a scientific metric used to assess the relative toxicity of various chemicals, particularly within the context of mixtures of pollutants. TEF assigns a numerical value to individual compounds based on their potency in eliciting biological effects, allowing for comparisons between different substances. This standardized approach facilitates risk assessments, regulatory evaluations, and environmental impact studies by enabling the aggregation of toxic impacts from diverse chemicals into a single, comprehensive measure.