What is the term for a pesticide that builds up in your body over time?

The term that specifically refers to a pesticide or any chemical substance that accumulates in an organism's body over time is bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a substance faster than it can eliminate it, leading to an increase in concentration within the body. This process can pose significant health risks, as the accumulated substances may reach toxic levels.

Accumulation generally refers to the gathering or amassing of substances, but it does not specifically denote the biological context associated with absorption and retention in organisms. Persistence refers to the duration that a substance remains in the environment without breaking down, while residual effect describes the ongoing impact or efficacy of a pesticide after its initial application. These terms do not capture the specific mechanism of accumulation within living organisms like bioaccumulation does.