Portable sensor to detect pesticide residue

摘要

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets allowable pesticide residue levels or tolerances, in foods, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests selected products annually, as does the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When violations for excessive pesticide residues or unregistered chemicals are found, the FDA is the enforcer. The government's monitoring practices are continually under criticism for incompleteness and lack of statistical validity not to mention environmental activists taking issue with assurances of pesticides' safety.