What does toxicity measure in relation to pesticides?

Toxicity measures the ability of a pesticide to cause injury to living organisms. This includes organisms such as insects, plants, and animals, including humans. Toxicity is a crucial concept in understanding how pesticides function and the potential risks they pose to non-target species and the environment.

In relation to pesticides, understanding toxicity helps applicators determine how to handle, apply, and manage risks associated with their use. This understanding influences decision-making regarding safe application practices, protective measures for applicators, and potentially harmful effects on wildlife and the ecosystem.

The other options, while related to pesticide use and safety, do not directly define toxicity. The likelihood of applicator exposure relates more to safety protocols, the rate of pesticide evaporation pertains to formulation characteristics, and effectiveness in pest control focuses on how well the pesticide achieves its intended purpose. These concepts, while important, do not specifically measure the inherent ability of a pesticide to cause injury, which is the essence of toxicity.