how does the latency period impact consumers on product safety?

The latency period is the time period between initial exposure to a product or problem and the appearance of associated symptoms or effects. As it relates to product safety, the latency period can impact consumers in two ways. First, the longer the latency period, the more likely a consumer may not be aware of the potential risks associated with using a product. During a long latency period, a consumer may use the product in an unsafe manner for an extended period of time before becoming aware of the issue. This could potentially lead to long-term harm or injury to the consumer. Second, if the latency period is long enough, it could become difficult for a consumer to conclusively link the use of the product to the occurrence of a symptom or effect. This would make it difficult for the consumer to prove that the cause of the symptom or effect was the product in question, thus making it harder for them to make a successful product liability claim against the manufacturer.