Regulatory limits for pesticide residues in water (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract

National governments introduced residue limits and guideline levels forpesticide residues in water when policies were implemented to minimize the con-tamination of ground and surface waters. Initially, the main attention was given todrinking water.Regulatory limits for pesticide residues in waters should have the followingcharacteristics: definition of the type of water, definition of the residue, a suitableanalytical method for the residues, and explanation for the basis for each limit. Limits may be derived by applying a safety factor to a no-effect-level, orfrom levels occurring when good practices are followed and also passing a safetyassessment, or from the detection limit of an analytical method, or directly by leg-islative decision.