What can happen if pesticide tolerances are exceeded?

Exceeding pesticide tolerances poses significant health risks and legal consequences. Tolerances are established by regulatory agencies to ensure that pesticide residues on food, feed, and other agricultural products remain at levels deemed safe for human and environmental health. When these tolerances are exceeded, it can lead to potential acute and chronic health issues for consumers and agricultural workers, including the risk of pesticide poisoning or long-term health effects such as cancer or endocrine disruption.

Additionally, exceeding these tolerances can result in legal repercussions for individuals or companies involved, such as fines, loss of licenses, or other enforcement actions by regulatory bodies. Awareness of these risks underlines the importance of adhering to established pesticide application guidelines and tolerances in order to protect public health and comply with the law.