Pesticide Screening
Pesticide Screening
Pesticides often consist of powerful chemicals that can be detrimental to human health, even in trace amounts. Depending on the chemicals used, different systems within the human body can be affected, and amounts can build up, and symptoms can worsen over time. While there is still research on the effects of some chemicals on humans, many have been reported as harmful. This is an actively growing field of scientific research, and the health of consumers is at stake. Therefore, pesticide screening is a crucial step in the evolution of the cannabis industry.
What is a Pesticide?
Pesticides are substances used to deter, repel or destroy insects and other organisms that are harmful to cultivated plants and animals. Although not all detergents are chemical-based, many of them are, and the chemicals in pesticides can endanger humans, and this is why we test for their presence and hemp products.
Why is Pesticide Testing Necessary?
Like many dangerous chemicals, even in trace amounts, pesticides can be hazardous for human consumption. Although several pesticides are legally allowed in the cultivations of cannabis and hemp, many are not eligible for use due to known or unknown dangers of consumption. It’s dangerous to assume that chemicals are safe because no adverse effects have been reported without adequate research. A significant problem in the cannabis industry surrounds pesticides in the porous nature of the plants themselves. Even if the cannabis farmers are not using chemical pesticides, the chemicals from neighboring farms can still affect the final product. Plants can become compromised at any point in the supply chain, from growth to harvest to storage. This is why it’s imperative to test for pesticides in the final product.
LUX LEAF Pesticide Screening
Aldicarb
Highly toxic insecticide. It is used to control mites, nematodes, and aphids through soil application. In toxic amounts, it can cause cholinesterase inhibition (which significantly affects the nervous system).
DDVP (Dichlorvos)
An insecticide that works as an organophosphate by inhibiting cholinesterase, an essential enzyme that keeps the nervous system functioning in humans and insects.
Paclobutrazol
Plant growth regulator. They are typically used on trees to prevent regrowth from occurring after trimming and application of paclobutrazol. It is considered low-risk toxicity.
Carbofuran
It is a highly toxic carbamate pesticide. It was banned in pellet form in ecologically sensitive areas due to its toxicity and used to kill insects, nematodes, and mites on contact or after ingestion. Unfortunately, it is highly toxic to people upon contact or inhalation and moderately toxic through dermal contact.
Etofenprox
It is an insecticide used to kill cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, spiders, and other insects. While having nearly zero toxicity levels for mammals and birds, etofenprox is highly toxic to freshwater fish, invertebrates, and honey bees.
Propoxur
The insecticide is typically used for pest mitigation around outdoor areas. Combats mosquitos, flies, fleas, and ticks on pets, ants, and snails. This substance is considered highly toxic to humans and can cause nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fast pulse, and profuse sweating.
Chlordane
Highly toxic insecticide. It is no longer distributed in the U.S. after its 1998 cancellation due to its high risk of causing cancer and is considered very dangerous for humans.
Fenoxycarb
Carbamate insecticide growth regulator. Used for flea, mosquito, cockroach, butterflies, moths, and scaled insects. Considered to have very low toxicity for mammals but is moderate to highly toxic to fish.
Spiroxamine
It is a broad-spectrum agricultural fungicide used typically for powdery mildew. It causes acute toxicity if large quantities are consumed, inhaled, or induced transdermally.
Chlorfenapyr
Proinsecticide is used for crop protection against mites and insects and termite control. Considered an environmental hazard and can cause acute toxicity and it may also be carcinogenic. More research is needed to know how this will affect humans.
Imazalil
Systemic imidazole fungicide is used to control fungus, powdery mildew, and black spots. It’s most often used in post-harvest treatment to prevent decay and is considered moderately toxic. In high concentrations may cause goosebumps, muscle incoordination, reduced arterial tension, tremors, and vomiting.
Thiacloprid
Neonicotinoid insecticide that is toxic to plant pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and more. Considered an environmental hazard and causes acute toxicity if consumed. However, any amount is dangerous; moderate amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headaches. More significant amounts may result in seizures, breathing issues, respiratory failure, muscle breakdown, kidney damage, and death.
Coumaphos
The pesticide controls livestock insects such as cattle grubs, lice, scabies, flies, and ticks. Considered acutely toxic; and can cause nausea, dizziness, confusion, respiratory arrest, and death.
Methyl parathion
Insecticide and acaricide are used to control boll weevils and sucking insects pests. Methyl parathion can cause acute toxicity upon inhalation and consumption and moderate toxicity upon dermal absorption. Symptoms include respiratory issues, bloody noses, coughing, chest discomfort, pallor, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, eye pain, and more.
Daminozide
Plant growth regulators are used to improve the balance between vegetative growth and fruit production. Unfortunately, studies show that daminozide can cause an increase in the production of malignant and benign tumors.
Mevinphos
An insecticide is used to combat aphids, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, cutworms, caterpillars, and other insects. Highly toxic through all routes of exposure and causes impaired judgment, giddiness, tightness of the chest, blurred vision, tearing, hearing irregularities, and more.
How does LUX LEAF Test for Pesticides?
Testing for pesticides is a delicate process, and it’s essential to test for all types of pesticides. (66 different styles to be exact) The most precise way to ensure accurate test results, we use two different types of analyses based on the chemical properties of the individual pesticides. Currently, we can test for 61 types of pesticides with the LC-MS/MS test. This stands for Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the other five are tested with the GC-MS/MS test, which stands for chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These tests provide us with accurate and reliable results for all the pesticides listed above.
Innovative Technology
LUX LEAF Diagnostics
The answer is simple: Speed, Quality & Service. We are a nimble lab that has invested heavily in equipment, software, a nationwide courier network, and processes to enable our personnel to deliver results quickly for our clients. At the same time, we emphasize ensuring we have every lab test that matters to you with the highest quality results because speed is just a number without quality. With LUX LEAF, you can expect your results to be back quickly and accurately.
We want to be your partner and not just your lab. Your success is our success, so let’s grow your business together.