Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What is typically the main function of a pesticide tolerance?

1. To maximize crop yield

2. To protect human health and the environment

3. To reduce production costs

4. To enhance pesticide effectiveness

The correct answer is: To protect human health and the environment

The main function of a pesticide tolerance is to protect human health and the environment. Tolerances are legally established limits on the amount of pesticide residue that can remain on food or feed products. These limits are set to ensure that when pesticides are applied correctly, the amount of residue left on crops is safe for consumers. Setting tolerances involves rigorous scientific evaluation to assess the potential risks to humans and non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, wildlife, and the ecosystem as a whole. The goal is to balance the need for effective pest control with the imperative of safeguarding public health and the natural environment from harmful pesticide exposure. Other potential functions like maximizing crop yield, reducing production costs, or enhancing pesticide effectiveness are relevant to agricultural practices but are not the primary focus of establishing pesticide tolerances. Tolerances are fundamentally about ensuring safety and compliance with health standards rather than influencing agricultural economics or product performance.