Analytics for Agriculture & Pesticide Use
The Agriculture Industry has many components, regulations, and safety measures to produce food in an abundance and as efficiently as possible. Quantity and timing are some of the main focal points for the industry. There are different regulations in place that monitor what is used to grow food, which include chemical pesticides. Pesticides are commonly required to undergo different types of testing to be accepted by regulatory agencies for use on crop and non-crop plants, amongst other applications.
Pesticides
Pesticides are generally used to prevent organism contamination; whether it be insects, fungi, bacteria, etc, these products are generally required to be registered with the US EPA for use and distribution in the USA. Analytical testing for pesticides generally includes testing their chemical and physical properties and is a common component for registration.
EPA Series 830 defines the Product Properties Test Guidelines for pesticides is used in companion with Subpart D (Product Chemistry) in the regulatory document 40 CFR Part 158, Data Requirements for Registration. Outside of Subpart D, 40 CFR Part 158 outlines the data requirements for registration including, but not limited to, Ecological effects, Product performance, Human Exposure, and Environmental fate and Toxicology.
The 830 Series outlines a variety of analytical tests that are performed to demonstrate the physical and chemical properties of a material and are commonly required when submitting a product for pesticide registration or reregistration.
Some of the analytical tests under the 830 guidelines include:
- Chemical Stability
- Storage Stability
- pH Determination
- Material Viscosity
- Oxidation/Reduction
- Dissociation Constants in water (OECD 112*)
- Partition Coefficient (OECD 117* or 107*)
- Water Solubility (OECD 105)*
- Vapor Pressure
It is highly recommended to review testing requirements with the appropriate regulatory agency to determine which tests are needed for product registration, label claims, or regulatory acceptance.
For more information on Analytical Testing and Agricultural Pesticides, contact our Analytical Laboratory at 847-483-9950 or info@situtest.com.
* OECD 112: Dissociation Contants in Water
* OECD 107: Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Shake Flask Method
*OECD 117: Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water), HPLC Method