Predicting Pesticide Residues to Reduce Crop Contamination

Man’s efforts to restructure nature have led not only to unquestioned achievements but also to certain unforeseen negative consequences. A major example of this dichotomy is the widespread agricultural use of chemicals. Pesticides are widely used to control pests and plant diseases, which cause international losses amounting to $74.9 billion; this figure represents 50% of the entire cost of global agricultural production. Along with these important economic advantages, however, these chemicals produce significant environmental and human health effects.