What properties determine pesticide persistence?
Once a pesticide has be introduced into the environment, its chemical and physical properties determine its fate: where it goes and how long it lasts. Each pesticide has its own unique set of properties. Pesticides that break down quickly do not offer much opportunity for exposure. How quickly a pesticide breaks down depends on the pesticide s chemistry, as well as environmental factors, such as temperature, rainfall, soil pH. Pesticides are designed to last long enough to do their job — control pests, then break down to non-toxic substances. However, pesticide persistence is highly variable, from a few hours to days, months or years. Most pesticides used today last from a few days to a few months.
