Assessment of Field Reentry Exposure to Pesticides: Limitations, Uncertainties, and Alternatives

Abstract

ABSTRACT There are many complex scientific as well as regulatory issues associated with the assessment of field reentry exposure to pesticides. These issues largely come from the limitations and uncertainties inherent in the simplified algorithm that many regulatory agencies use to estimate the reentry exposure. The main objective of this Perspective Article is to bring out these issues systematically in an open forum for further consideration by the exposure assessment community. Accordingly, in this Perspective Article, the simplified algorithm is elaborated first to provide a basic understanding for the complex issues involved. Both the limitations and the uncertainties revolving around this algorithm's real-time application are then discussed extensively, including those specific to monitoring dermal residues in a study trial, measuring dislodgeable foliar residues, and dealing with dislodgeability as well as transferability of foliar residues. The discussion ends by proposing a more practical alternative to the current assessment approach.