A pesticide that breaks down quickly in the environment is known as what?

A pesticide that breaks down quickly in the environment is described as non-persistent. Non-persistent pesticides tend to have a short half-life, meaning they degrade rapidly due to biological, chemical, or photolytic processes. This characteristic makes them typically less harmful to non-target organisms and the environment, as they do not remain in the ecosystem for long periods. As they degrade quickly, the risk of accumulation in the environment and potential long-term ecological effects is minimized, which can be beneficial for managing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and human health.

In contrast, persistent pesticides remain in the environment for extended periods, leading to greater risks of bioaccumulation and potential adverse effects on non-target species. Fumigants and avicides are types of pesticides distinguished by their specific functions (fumigants are gases used to kill pests in enclosed spaces, and avicides target birds), but they do not specifically refer to the breakdown rate in the environment. Therefore, the correct classification for a pesticide that breaks down quickly is non-persistent.