[A]
[B] [C] [D]
[E] [F] [G]
[H] [I-J-K] [L]
[M-N] [O-P] [Q-R]
[S] [T] [U-V]
[W-X-Y-Z]
abiotic degradation Degradation
of a pesticide via purely physical or chemical mechanisms. Examples
include hydrolysis and photolysis.
absorption Transfer of a component
from one phase to another (Gold, 1987). Movement of a pesticide from
the environment (e.g. water, ingested food, leaf surface) across a biological
membrane into an organism.
acceptable daily intake (ADI)
Estimate of the amount of a pesticide in food and drinking water which can
be ingested daily over a lifetime by humans without appreciable health risk.
It is usually expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. See also
Tolerable daily intake. (after Duffus, 1993)
action level (regulatory) 1. For
food commodities, an administrative maximum residue limit (MRL) used
by regulatory authorities to initiate action where no legally defined MRL
has been established. 2. For the environment, concentration of a pesticide
in air, soil or water at which emergency measures or preventative actions
are to be taken. (after Duffus, 1993)
action limits (analytical quality control)
Limits for measurements on reference material or spiked
samples which indicate when an analytical procedure is not performing
adequately and requires immediate action before data can be reported.
active ingredient (ai) Pesticide present
in a formulation as described by the common name. The part of a pesticide
formulation from which the biological effect is obtained. (FAO, 1995)
accuracy (of measurement) Closeness of agreement
between the result of a measurement and the (conventional) true value of the
measurement. Note 1. Use of the term precision for accuracy
should be avoided. Note 2. True value is an ideal concept and, in general,
cannot be known exactly. (Metrology, 1984)
acute toxicity Ability of a substance to cause
adverse effects within a short period following dosing or exposure. (after
Duffus, 1993)
adjuvant Formulant designed to enhance
the activity or other properties of a pesticide mixture.
adsorption Enrichment of one or more components
in an interfacial layer. (Gold 1987)
adverse effect Change in morphology,
physiology, growth development or lifespan of an organism which results in
impairment of functional capacity or which increases susceptibility to the
harmful effects of other environmental influences. (after IPCS, 1978)
aerobic Conditions under which molecular
oxygen serves as the terminal electron acceptor in respiration or in metabolic
oxygenation. See also redox potential. (after Gold, 1987)
aerosol System of fine solid or liquid particles
(<30m m diam.) dispersed in a gas. Aerosol
cans using an inert compressed propellant are a common means of dispensing
insecticides for domestic use. See also nebulisation.
AFID Alkali flame-ionisation detector or detection
for gas chromatography (cf NPD and TID).
aged residue Pesticide and degradates
present in an environmental system after application and following a period
long enough to allow transport, adsorption, metabolism, and dissipation processes
to alter the distribution and chemical nature of some of the applied pesticide.
aggregate sample Sample made up of
set proportions of other samples, typically an average by weight. See also
composite sample.
aglycon Non-sugar part of a glycoside
or glucuronide conjugate derived from the pesticide. See also exocon.
agrochemical Agricultural chemical
used in crop and food production including pesticide, feed additive,
veterinary drug and related compounds.
aliquot Known fractional portion of
a homogeneous material (Horwitz, 1990). The term is usually applied to volumetric
sub-sampling of fluids.
anaerobic Condition under which reductive
conditions prevail. See also redox potential.
analytical portion See test portion.
analytical sample See test sample.
analytical range Measurement
range of a test method where the performance has been validated and quality
standards such as action limits have been developed.
analytical standard (pesticide)
Pesticide reference material of high and defined purity (generally
> 95%) for preparation of calibration
standards.
> Synopsis
> Preface
> References
