Which of the following components are essential to understand the risk associated with pesticide use?

Understanding the risk associated with pesticide use requires a comprehensive consideration of both toxicity and the amount of exposure. Toxicity refers to the inherent ability of a pesticide to cause harm, which can vary significantly depending on the chemical nature and specific formulation. Additionally, the concept of exposure involves how much of that substance comes into contact with a person, animal, or the environment over a certain period. This combination directly influences the potential health effects or environmental impact.

By evaluating both toxicity and exposure, one can assess the likelihood and severity of adverse outcomes resulting from pesticide application. Focusing solely on the amount of pesticide used does not account for how toxic that pesticide is or how exposure occurs. Similarly, while the type of crops or environmental conditions can influence the use of pesticides, they do not provide a direct measure of the risk without consideration of toxicity and exposure levels. Therefore, the correct approach must integrate these two fundamental components to fully grasp the risks involved in pesticide application.