Pesticides

Question 1

what is a pest?

Answer 1

a harmful, destructive, or troublesome animal, plant, or microorganism

Question 2

what is a pesticide?

Answer 2

any physical, biological, or chemical agent that will remove an undesirable plant, animal, or microorganism pest

Question 3

what are the goals when designing pesticides?

Answer 3

selective toxicity; want to target something in a certain pest that will not affect other wildlife/humans

Question 4

what is the exposure spectrum?

Answer 4

exponential; general population (exposed via air, food, water, etc) are on the shallow slope at the start; bystander exposure (via home exposure, serial thrift) on the curve upwards; occupational exposure (manufacturing, handling, harvesting, etc) on the steep slope; poisonings on the top, due from exposure resulting from suicides or accidents