Three major standards for the quality of pesticides
September 28 10:08:45, 2025
Pesticides play a vital role in modern agriculture, but their quality is crucial for both effectiveness and safety. The China Pesticide Network provides insights into the key quality standards that define the performance of these products.
1. **Purity**
Purity refers to the percentage of the active ingredient in the original pesticide formulation. It is one of the most important indicators of quality. Higher purity means a greater concentration of the effective component, which leads to better performance. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the minimum purity requirement for pesticides is typically above 90%. In China, most pesticides meet this standard. However, impurities can significantly affect performance and safety. For example, excessive impurities may cause phytotoxicity to crops. A well-known case involved bensulfuron-methyl in Jilin Province, where high levels of impurities like JP-003 and JP-004 led to rice seedling damage. Impurities can also increase toxicity to humans, as seen with methamidophos, where impurities made the product more dangerous than its pure form. Additionally, impurities may interfere with chemical analysis, leading to inaccurate measurements of active ingredients. They can also reduce the stability of the pesticide and contribute to environmental pollution. Therefore, maximizing the purity of the original drug is essential.
2. **pH Level**
The pH of a pesticide formulation reflects the amount of free acid or base present, or the hydrogen ion concentration. Controlling the pH helps prevent the degradation of active ingredients during storage and ensures the physical properties of the product remain stable. It also helps avoid phytotoxic effects when applied. FAO standards often express pH in terms of acidity (as Hâ‚‚SOâ‚„) or alkalinity (as NaOH), while Chinese regulations commonly use pH values. Maintaining an appropriate pH level is critical for both product stability and safe application.
3. **Moisture Content**
Moisture content is another important quality parameter, especially for powders and wettable formulations. Excessive moisture can lead to the decomposition of active ingredients and reduce the product’s stability. For powders, controlling moisture helps maintain good dispersibility when sprayed. While FAO standards include moisture content requirements for certain formulations, China currently relies on moisture limits to ensure proper dispersion. However, the effectiveness of this method can vary depending on the type of filler used. Some fillers absorb more moisture without affecting dispersibility, while others do not. As a result, some experts suggest using a fluidity index instead of moisture content to better assess powder quality. Despite this, China still primarily uses moisture content as the main control parameter.
In summary, maintaining high-quality standards for pesticides—such as purity, pH, and moisture content—is essential to ensure their effectiveness, safety, and environmental compatibility. These factors directly impact agricultural productivity and public health.
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