General Colorado Commercial Pesticide Application Practice Exam

What is a risk associated with applying pesticides too close to the harvest date?

1. The crop may have a longer shelf life

2. The risk of exceeding tolerance levels set by the EPA

3. Improved pest resistance in the crop

4. The potential for increased market demand

The correct answer is: The risk of exceeding tolerance levels set by the EPA

Applying pesticides close to the harvest date poses a significant risk of exceeding tolerance levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tolerance levels are established to ensure that the residues of pesticide chemicals on food products remain within safe limits for human consumption. If pesticides are applied too near to the time of harvest, there may not be sufficient time for the pesticide to degrade or dissipate to acceptable levels before the crop is sold and consumed. This can lead to residues that exceed the established limits, which could pose health risks to consumers and potentially result in regulatory actions against the grower. In contrast, other options, such as the crop having a longer shelf life, improved pest resistance, or increased market demand, do not directly address the hazards associated with pesticide residues and their implications for food safety and compliance with regulations. These options may signify benefits or unrelated factors, but they do not capture the critical concern of pesticide application timing and its direct impact on food safety and regulatory compliance.