North Carolina Pesticide Application Practice Test

Contact effects from pesticides specifically refer to the immediate reactions that occur at the point where the pesticide comes into contact with a plant, insect, or surface. These effects can manifest quickly as the pesticide interacts with the biological tissue. For example, when a pesticide is applied directly to an insect or a plant, the active ingredients can cause damage or kill the organism almost instantly, which is a hallmark of contact effects.

This contrasts with other types of pesticide effects, such as systemic effects, where chemicals are absorbed and transported throughout an organism, leading to symptoms that develop over time. Similarly, symptoms arising from inhalation or exposure that require hospitalization are more related to toxicity levels rather than being classified as contact effects. Therefore, the immediate reactions at the point of contact are a defining characteristic of the term "contact effects" in pesticide application practices.