The term “pesticide residue analysis” is used for the process of checking samples such as water, living organisms, or prepared foods for traces of pesticides. This procedure is also often used for checking the above mentioned samples for traces of herbicides and fungicides. You can get this process done either for safety reasons and quality control or for eliminating concerns regarding pesticide contamination.
During the process of pesticide residue analysis, the material you want to analyze will undergo several tests. Ideally, you should buy the services of a laboratory for getting these tests done. Lab technicians use pesticide residue solvents for identifying contaminants in food, water etc. When you rely on laboratory technicians for carrying out trace analysis, you will get a detailed report informing you about the substances found in the sample and their effects. The traces found might be high enough for harming human health or can be low, which indicates weak contamination.
Living organisms, food items and water can get contaminated by pesticides in different ways. Direct contamination occurs when a farmer applies chemical based pesticides to crops for preventing insect infestation. Chemicals present in these bug killers often end up contaminating our environment. They often hit water tables and adjacent farms contaminating the water we use in our daily lives and the crops grown in other farms. There are also several instances where chemicals in water have resulted in problems like fish kills; however, this can happen only if the concentration of chemicals is too high.
Food producers often need to carry out pesticide residue analysis for fulfilling terms of contracts with suppliers. There are also companies that need to carry out this testing procedure for confirming that food items manufactured by them are safe. Some farmers should get the crops they grow tested for contamination even if they don’t apply pesticides or any other chemical substances to the produces. This rule applies particularly to farmers who grow crops in industrial areas.
Pesticide residue analysis is often ordered by environmental scientists. They do so whenever they have concerns regarding presence of pesticides or other chemical based products in the atmosphere. Environmental scientists also use this process for gathering more information about animal diseases and plant epidemics of different types. The results obtained from this analysis can be used for cracking down on the polluters and making our planet a better place to live in. The results are also often used for identifying areas that need environmental cleanup and issuing safety warnings. Last, but not the least, trace analysis is a great tool for following up on cleaning efforts.