MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which factor should be reduced to decrease the risk of human pesticide poisoning?

1. Potency

2. Toxicity

3. Price

4. Volume

The correct answer is: Toxicity

The correct choice focuses on reducing toxicity, which directly impacts the potential harm pesticides can cause to humans. Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can damage living organisms. By minimizing the toxicity of pesticides, the risk of adverse health effects from exposure—whether through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact—is significantly decreased. This is crucial in ensuring safety for workers who apply pesticides, as well as for the general public who may come into contact with treated areas. Potency, while often related to toxicity, refers to the amount of a substance needed to produce a specific effect. Lower potency could help as well, but reducing toxicity is more effective in directly decreasing health risks. The price of pesticides does not affect their safety or the likelihood of poisoning; it is more an economic consideration. Volume, although it can relate to exposure levels, does not inherently decrease the risk associated with the chemical’s effects. Therefore, focusing on reducing toxicity is the most effective approach in minimizing the risks of pesticide poisoning among humans.