What primarily drives the risks to human health or the environment from pesticide exposure?

The primary drivers of risks to human health or the environment from pesticide exposure are closely linked to exposure and toxicity. Pesticides pose risks when individuals, wildlife, or ecosystems come into contact with them (exposure) and when the chemicals have harmful effects (toxicity).

Exposure refers to the amount of pesticide that individuals or the environment come into contact with, while toxicity indicates the potential harmful effects that these chemicals can have on living organisms. Essentially, even a highly toxic substance may not pose a significant risk if there is minimal exposure to it. Conversely, a less toxic pesticide can lead to more significant health or environmental impacts if exposure levels are high.

For example, if a person is regularly exposed to a pesticide through agricultural work without proper protective equipment, the risks from both exposure and the inherent toxicity of the pesticide increase significantly, leading to potential health issues. Similarly, environmental risks can escalate if a pesticide is applied in large quantities in vulnerable areas, leading to bioaccumulation in organisms and adverse effects on ecosystems.

Thus, it is the combination of both exposure pathways and the toxicity of the chemicals involved that fundamentally drives the associated risks, making this choice correct within the context of understanding pesticide-related concerns.