How Can We Assess the Potential Impacts of a Pesticide on California Groundwater?

THE CHALLENGE

Only pesticides that can pass the rigorous assessment requirements for potential groundwater impacts of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) can be registered for use in the state. However, the requirements are evolving quickly, creating questions around the state's regulatory definition of "safe" for groundwater and how they reach that determination. In fact, DPR will soon be making a significant change to their regulations and approach for determining which compounds they consider to have the potential to leach into groundwater. Once implemented, DPR's new approach will set the standard for all pesticides intended for use in California. Our clients turned to Exponent to conduct a thorough, scientifically sound, and strategic regulatory product evaluation that would pass stringent DPR registration requirements.

EXPONENT'S MULTIDISCIPLINARY SOLUTION

The Exponent team evaluated existing data and developed strategies to gather more information about our clients' products and their behavior in the environment. Our scientific and regulatory experts worked closely with our clients' scientists and regulatory teams to strategically align test methods and reports with DPR requirements. Lastly, our regulatory experts strategically engaged with DPR and effectively presented scientific findings to the regulatory authority. 

Exponent's Impact

Our efforts helped provide our clients with the scientific evidence and strategic regulatory support needed to complete their pesticide registration with DPR. The processes we established, including data collection, have allowed Exponent to create a basis for screening chemicals early in the product development process to minimize future issues.

When we found that our clients' products could be deemed safe for use in California and successfully registered with DPR, California growers gained access to novel tools to combat pernicious plant pests and diseases. Exponent continues to work with DPR on the scientific methodologies that underpin how potential groundwater impacts are assessed, with direct implications for industry on study protocols and overall processes for pesticide registration. Consequently, our work has the potential to significantly impact California's agricultural production, DPR's sustainable pest management goals, and the future of the state's groundwater policies.