What are pesticide residues?

Pesticide residues refer to the substances that remain on or in treated surfaces, including food, after the application of pesticides. This includes both the active ingredients, which are the chemicals intended to control pests, and their breakdown products, also known as metabolites. These are the components that may result from the degradation of the pesticide due to environmental factors or biological processes.

Understanding pesticide residues is essential for evaluating food safety and environmental impact. Regulatory agencies establish tolerances, which are the maximum permissible levels of these residues on food items to ensure they are safe for consumption.

The other options do not accurately represent what pesticide residues are. The toxic chemicals found in pesticides are just a part of the active ingredients and do not encompass the entire concept of residues, which includes breakdown products as well. Packaging materials and application equipment, while related to the use of pesticides, do not pertain to the residues that may remain on surfaces after application.