Which statement about pesticide toxicity and risk is most accurate?

Which statement about pesticide toxicity and risk is most accurate?

• A. All pesticides pose the same risk
• B. Risk is determined by exposure only
• C. Risk is the product of toxicity and exposure
• D. Toxicity and exposure never relate to risk

Answer: (C)

Risk from pesticide use comes from both how toxic the chemical is and how much exposure people or non-target organisms have to it. The overall risk is the product of toxicity and exposure: a highly toxic pesticide with minimal exposure can pose little risk, while a less toxic pesticide with frequent or high exposure can pose significant risk. Toxicity is the inherent hazard of the substance, while exposure depends on how the chemical is used, how much contact occurs, the route of exposure (skin contact, inhalation, ingestion), duration, and protective measures in place. The statement that best describes this is that risk equals toxicity times exposure.

Risk from pesticide use comes from both how toxic the chemical is and how much exposure people or non-target organisms have to it. The overall risk is the product of toxicity and exposure: a highly toxic pesticide with minimal exposure can pose little risk, while a less toxic pesticide with frequent or high exposure can pose significant risk. Toxicity is the inherent hazard of the substance, while exposure depends on how the chemical is used, how much contact occurs, the route of exposure (skin contact, inhalation, ingestion), duration, and protective measures in place. The statement that best describes this is that risk equals toxicity times exposure.