North Carolina Pesticide Application Practice Test

How is pesticide hazard calculated?

1. Exposure rate divided by toxicity

2. Toxicity multiplied by exposure

3. Toxicity plus exposure

4. Exposure minus toxicity

The correct answer is: Toxicity multiplied by exposure

Pesticide hazard is calculated using the relationship between toxicity and exposure. Specifically, the hazard is determined by multiplying the level of toxicity by the exposure to that pesticide. Toxicity refers to the inherent ability of a substance to cause harm, while exposure measures the extent to which a person or environment comes into contact with the pesticide. This multiplication gives a more comprehensive understanding of the potential risk posed by a pesticide; it not only considers how toxic a chemical is but also how much of it is likely to enter the system. Hence, higher toxicity combined with higher exposure results in greater hazard potential. This concept is crucial for assessing risk in pesticide applications and ensuring safety measures are appropriate in mitigating that risk. Understanding this calculation is vital for safe pesticide usage and compliance with regulations.