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The linkage between pesticide use and pesticide residues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Fred Kuchler ,
Ram Chandran  and
Katherine Ralston
Fred Kuchler
Affiliation:
Economists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 1301 New York Ave., NW, Washington DC 20005-4788.
Ram Chandran
Affiliation:
Economists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 1301 New York Ave., NW, Washington DC 20005-4788.
Katherine Ralston
Affiliation:
Economists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 1301 New York Ave., NW, Washington DC 20005-4788.
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Abstract

Newly available data from USDA's Pesticide Data Program allow us to trace pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables to their sources among various uses. We show that pesticide residues come from four sources: on-farm pesticide use; post-harvest pesticide use; pesticide use on imported food; and canceled pesticides that persist in the environment. Post-harvest pesticides account for the largest share of residue detections. Farmers' pest control choices influence consumers' dietary intake of pesticides, but the way in which food is marketed and the history of pest management techniques used on farms may have a greater influence. For pesticides that U.S. farmers currently use, the data show the geographic sources of residues and the extent to which use contributes to dietary intake risks. This information could be used to target development of pest control alternatives more narrowly. However, research to develop on-farm pest control alternatives will not address all pesticide residue risks in consumers' diets.

Keywords

pesticide dietary intakepostharvest pesticides
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , December 1996 , pp. 161 - 167
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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