Sampling and analysis of pesticides in the environment

Environmental monitoring is now recognized as essential in areas of pesticide use in order to assess the impact of these pesticides on the environment. During the last two decades, advances in instrumentation in terms of detection limits and specificity, along with the growing expertise of residue chemists, have made reports of pesticide residue levels in the parts per billion range commonplace. Using this technical ability and carefully assessing the significance of the data obtained, pesticides can be used in a more efficacious manner with less possible damage to the environment.