Ecological Risk Assessment of Pesticides Used in Agriculture

This chapter introduces the common approach of ecological risk assessment (ERA), and the procedure involved in the risk assessment. The risk assessment of a chemical includes problem formulation, exposure assessment and effects assessment, and risk characterization. The risk assessment approach was applied to a vegetable growing area in south China as a case study. The results showed that 22 pesticides were detected at different concentrations in agricultural fields and the receiving drainage channel. Based on the risk quotient method, 17 pesticides showed high risks to aquatic organisms and 5 pesticides showed minimal risks. Further long-term toxicity testing and monitoring are needed in order to have good understanding of adverse effects on ecosystems.