What property of a substance indicates its potential to cause negative effects on health?

The correct choice relates to the concept of hazard, which encompasses the potential of a substance to cause adverse health effects. Hazard refers to the inherent properties of a material that can pose risks, such as its ability to be harmful, its reactivity, or its corrosiveness. It considers various factors including the type of substance, its nature, and the manner in which it might interact with living organisms or the environment.

While toxicity specifically measures the degree to which a substance can cause harm or injury when exposed (which is an important aspect of health risk), hazard is a broader term that encompasses not just toxicity but also exposure scenarios and the potential for negative outcomes. A substance might be toxic, but if it is not encountered in significant amounts or under specific circumstances, the hazard it presents could be considered low. Thus, understanding hazard is crucial for assessing the overall risk associated with a substance in various situations.

Factors like insolubility and concentration are more about the properties and amounts of the substances rather than indicating their potential to negatively affect health in a general sense.