For which uses must a tolerance status of pesticide be established?

A tolerance status must be established for pesticides used on food crops to ensure that any pesticide residue left on the food meets safety standards. The tolerance is a legal limit on the amount of pesticide residue that can remain on food products and is necessary to protect human health and the environment. Establishing tolerance levels involves a thorough risk assessment, including evaluating potential exposure to consumers and determining safe levels for consumption.

In contrast, pesticide use for household pests, while regulated, does not require a tolerance in the same way because these products are typically used in environments where exposure is controlled and monitored differently. Similarly, while considerations for laborers such as migrant workers in agricultural settings are important in terms of safety and health regulations, setting tolerances specifically applies to the food products that may be consumed. Lastly, being a certified applicator relates to the certification of individuals to apply pesticides but does not pertain directly to the establishment of tolerance levels for specific pesticide applications.