What indicates that a pesticide is considered insoluble?

To determine if a pesticide is considered insoluble, one must look at its solubility in water, typically measured in parts per million (ppm). A pesticide is generally classified as insoluble if it has a solubility of less than 100 ppm. This means that when the pesticide is added to water, it does not dissolve well and therefore remains largely undissolved in the solution, which can impact its usage and effectiveness in pest control scenarios.

Insolubility indicates that the pesticide may behave differently in the environment, potentially leading to longer retention in soil or sediment, and affecting how it is transported and degraded by various processes. Solubility can play a key role in determining the risk of pesticide runoff and its potential impact on non-target organisms.

The other ranges of solubility, such as between 100 and 999 ppm or more than 1000 ppm, indicate increasing levels of solubility, which would classify those pesticides as soluble rather than insoluble. Solubility at these higher levels suggests that a significant portion of the pesticide will dissolve in water, influencing its effectiveness and environmental behavior.