If a grower were to not spray some acres due to scouting, for example, these acres would be lost unless total acres were used. To date, Massachusetts has not utilized the pesticide use data which they have been collecting over the past 5 years. At this point in time, there is no clear resolution to the debate over use versus risk. Measurement of use as pounds of active ingredient of pesticide per acre is a method that has been used most frequently. As more grower groups join the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, the issue of use versus risk reduction must be considered.
Risk is equal to toxicity x exposure.
If less of a particular pesticide is used, exposure decreases and risk is reduced. Using the single parameter of toxicity, pesticides may also be categorized. A classification of pesticides by toxicity rating would also be helpful to growers when making pest management decisions. To date, attempts to categorize pesticides by risk level have been infrequent and controversial. Growers will be asked about their acreage from 1992-1994 to be sure that use per acre values are accurate.