Toxicity is defined as the ability of a chemical to:

• A. damage/cause harm
• B. change color in solution
• C. emit fumes when heated
• D. dissolve readily in water

Answer: (A)

Toxicity is about how a chemical can cause harm to living beings. It describes the potential to produce adverse effects—such as tissue damage, organ dysfunction, or death—when there is exposure, and it often depends on dose, route of exposure, and the organism involved. The other statements describe physical or chemical properties: color change in solution is about a reaction or indicator behavior, emitting fumes relates to volatility, and dissolving in water is a solubility property. A substance can be toxic without showing any color change, fumes, or easy water solubility, so toxicity is specifically about the harm it can cause, not these other properties.