Analytical chemistry and the future of pesticides

The spectacular growth and development of synthetic organic pesticides that has occurred since mid-century has been accompanied by equally noteworthy benefits in managing pests of crops and forests, in dairy and poultry production, and in the control of vector-borne diseases. Analytical chemists have played a major part in gaining an understanding of environmental residues, residue dynamics and mode of action. Each decade has witnessed the introduction of novel classes of pesticides. Analytical chemistry and pest biology are important determinants in the direction of pesticide design. Environmental issues have been translated into regulatory requirements by regulatory authorities. As a consequence, major objectives of innovative pesticide design or modification of existing structures focus on the provision of more environmentally acceptable compounds, the improvement of selectivity, and reduction of the dose required for effective control. Changes in types of widely-used pesticides reflect the responses to the regulatory climate. Beyond the questions of residues in food and soils, movement and transport are significant factors in the assessment of environmental impact and effects on nontarget organisms. The scope of environmental monitoring is expanding to include air and water and the limits of detection are continually pressed to lower levels by improved instrumental techniques. These constraints limit the ability of the industry to develop more compounds each year. Biotechnology is being hamessed to extend the utility of a number of pesticides. Pesticides derived from natural products or from engineered organisms appear to have much promise but often fail to meet the farmers expectations. Assessment of the environmental impact of engineered organisms and other biologicals represents a major challenge to the skills of the analytical chemist.