What hazard may arise from improper pesticide storage?

Improper pesticide storage can indeed lead to the potential for accidental poisoning or spills. When pesticides are not stored according to recommended guidelines, such as being kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and out of reach from children or pets, the risk of leakage or accidental exposure increases. This can occur due to damaged containers, uncontrolled temperature fluctuations, or improper stacking.

If pesticides spill, they can contaminate the surrounding environment—potentially affecting water sources, soil, and non-target organisms. Moreover, improper storage could lead to scenarios where humans accidentally come into contact with the chemicals, resulting in poisoning. Training on safe handling and storage practices is crucial for applicators to prevent such hazardous situations.

The other options presented do not directly correlate with improper pesticide storage. For instance, the growth of weeds or the decline of pest populations is influenced more by the application methods and timing rather than storage practices. Additionally, while pesticides can lose effectiveness over time, this is largely due to factors like expiry dates and not necessarily linked to the manner in which they are stored. Thus, option C accurately emphasizes the critical hazards associated with storing pesticides improperly.