What aspect of pesticides is safety associated with in formulation selection?

The safety of pesticides in formulation selection is primarily associated with the human and environmental health risk. This aspect is critical because the impact of pesticide use extends beyond the target pests; it includes potential exposure to humans, wildlife, and the ecosystem. Formulations designed with safety in mind often prioritize reducing harmful side effects through careful consideration of active ingredients and additives.

Ensuring that a pesticide is safe involves evaluating its toxicity, potential for causing harm to non-target organisms, and its long-term effects on the environment. Regulatory authorities and safety data sheets provide guidelines on acceptable levels of risk, further emphasizing the importance of health and safety evaluations in the decision-making process when choosing pesticide formulations.

While the duration of effectiveness, cost of the pesticide, and even the color may play roles in the selection process from a practical or economic perspective, they do not directly address the paramount concerns of safety for humans and the environment, which is why those factors are secondary in this context.