Pesticides enable farmers to grow enough high quality food, in an ever
shrinking area of farm land, to feed the many people who live in the cities.
Growers face tremendous competition for their crops from insects, fungi, weeds,
spider mites, blights, rodents, etc. Without the use of pesticides, the food on the
grocery store shelves would soon disappear because organically-grown foods
cannot yet be produced in large enough quantities to feed the world's
population. Much effort and cost is expended to assure the safe usage of
pesticides, and indeed our foods are safer than many people believe. One of the
safeguards involves the testing of foods prior to harvest and/or processing for
residual pesticides (called "residues"). Ironically, organic foods may
require testing, also. For example, since fungicides are not used, they may contain dangerous
mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds) such as
patulin and aflatoxins.
Columbia Food Laboratories offers individual tests for over 550 different
pesticides in food, vegetation, soil and water. We also have many multi-residue
screens available. The Columbia Pesticide Profile is our most comprehensive
screen and currently includes approximately 235 compounds.
Profiles (Multi-Residue Screens)
P2200 Columbia Pesticide Profile (for food/vegetation)
P2700 Herbicides, Non-Ionic (for food/vegetation,
soil or water)
P2800 Herbicides, Ionic (for food/vegetation, soil
or water)
P2950 Carbamate Pesticide Profile (for
food/vegetation, soil or water)
Chloramphenicol, streptomycin & oxytetracycline
antibiotics in honey
Many others (please call us for information about specific pesticides)
Applications
Residue levels in food
Analyze foods to determine if there are any detectable levels of
pesticides. If any are found, ensure they are below the Maximum
Residue Limit (MRL) set by the consuming country.
Soil herbicide carry-over
A herbicide might be used against weeds in one type of crop, without
harming that crop, whereas other types of crops would suffer damage.
Carry-over problems can occur during crop rotation if residues of a
herbicide remain in the soil from the previous growing season.
Detection of spray drift
Spray drift is the spreading of a pesticide beyond the intended
borders of the area being treated. Common causes are wind, too hot
conditions resulting in volatilization, and, accidental over-spray.
Cross-contamination of spray mixes
Failure to adequately clean the spraying equipment tank when
changing from one pesticide to another can result in
cross-contamination of a subsequent spray mix. This may have no
apparent effect, or, may result in crop damage.
Anti-sprout compound levels on potatoes
Even under optimum storage conditions potatoes can only be kept so
long before sprouting begins. Sprout inhibitors are used to extend the
storage time through the Winter and Spring until a new crop is
harvested. The level of inhibitor is monitored so that just enough is
used to prevent sprouting without causing excessive residues. If this
were not done, fresh whole potatoes would be unavailable for some
portions of the year.
Herbicide Damage Issues
The following websites may be helpful when diagnosing herbicide injury to
plants:
Diagnosing Herbicide Injury on Garden
and Landscape Plants - Purdue University ID-184
Documenting Suspected Herbicide Damage - North Dakota State U./ U. of Minnesota
WC-751
