What does the term 'hazard' refer to in pesticide use?

The term 'hazard' in the context of pesticide use refers specifically to the risk of harmful effects caused by pesticides. This encompasses the potential for pesticides to cause injury to humans, wildlife, or the environment under certain conditions. Understanding hazard is essential for safe pesticide management because it helps with risk assessment, allowing applicators to gauge the potential dangers associated with the substances they are using.

While the total amount of pesticide used, the environmental impact, and the effectiveness on target pests are important components in the broader conversation about pesticide use, they do not encapsulate the specific definition of hazard. The focus on risk makes it clear that even small quantities of a highly hazardous pesticide could pose significant dangers, whereas larger amounts of a substance with low hazard potential might be much safer to use, thus underscoring the importance of evaluating pesticides based on their risk rather than just their usage amount or effectiveness.