Pesticides in the Soil Environment

Few environmental concerns now occupying public attention are as fraught with emotion as is the pesticide issue. Human exposure to pesticides may come directly through consumption of foods containing pesticide residue. This pathway is relatively straightforward and not too difficult to trace and assess. Pesticides may also find their way into the food chain or into drinking water, also leading to potential human exposure.

This second pathway is much more complex and difficult to quantify. Following a now well-established publication policy of the Soil Science Society of America, this volume seeks to bring to scientists, engineers, and regulators the best and most up-to-date scientific information. It has been wisely said: "Dogmatic assertion is an inadequate substitute for truth." While science never achieves final and ultimate truth, we hope that judicious use of the information in this volume will help reduce the emotional debate over pesticide exposure to rational studies and reasoned debate. Through such an approach lies our best hope of ensuring both human health and an adequate food supply.