Fate and Behavior of Agricultural Pesticides in the Environment

The data provided by applicants must permit an assessment to be made of the fate and behavior of the pesticide in the environment. This information is sub- 

As indicated above, the nature and amount of data required for pesticide approval depend on the properties and use of each active substance. A stepwise, tiered or triggered approach allows an efficient selection of tests essential to each individual contamination risk analysis. The environmental exposure to a pesticide depends primarily on the following factors. 

The highest concentrations usually occur during and just after application. 

Degradation can include such processes as hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial metabolism, etc. Movement reduces the concentration in the treated compartment but transports residues to untreated compartments, e.g., from plant surface to soil or soil to water. 

For substances entering surface waters, the availability of a chemical to organisms is primarily related to its concentration in the aqueous phase. When strongly adsorbed to sediment or soil, availability will often be significantly re- 

---