JUSTIFICATION OF CRITERIA FOR RISK-BASED MONITORING OF PESTICIDES IN SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER

Abstract

Introduction. Pollution of surface and groundwater with pesticides remains one of the pressing environmental and public health problems in regions with intensive agricultural production, as the migration of plant protection products into the aquatic environment poses risks to human health, degrades drinking water quality, and adversely affects aquatic ecosystems.

Aim. The aim of the study is to scientifically substantiate and develop a risk-based approach to prioritizing pesticide monitoring in water bodies based on a comprehensive assessment of their ecotoxicological characteristics, physicochemical properties, and hygienic safety indicators.

Materials and Methods. The information base consisted of publications from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, regulatory legal documents of Ukraine, and the results of their systemic, comparative, and bibliosemantic analysis. The study utilized field research findings, data on physicochemical properties, toxicological characteristics, and ecological-hygienic indicators of active pesticide substances. The evaluation accounted for indicators of substance persistence in the environment, migration capacity into the aquatic environment, hazard class, acceptable daily intake, and potential impact on public health. A scoring approach was applied for the integral assessment, enabling the ranking of the studied substances by degree of hazard and determining the feasibility of monitoring studies.

Results. Based on the comprehensive assessment, it was established that the highest risk of water body contamination and potential negative impact on public health is posed by fungicides (difenoconazole, azoxystrobin, penconazole, fluxapyroxad, and metalaxyl-M), herbicides (S-metolachlor and glyphosate), and the insecticide abamectin. It is these active substances that are recommended for inclusion in the category of priority objects for mandatory water monitoring.

Conclusions. The proposed approach optimizes the monitoring system, increases the effectiveness of risk management for public health and the environment, and ensures the rational allocation of laboratory control resources. The obtained results form the basis for harmonizing the national environmental safety system with European standards and improving preventive measures.