What is a characteristic of a persistent pesticide?

A characteristic of a persistent pesticide is that it remains in the environment without breaking down. These types of pesticides can resist degradation processes, which means they can persist in soil, water, and other environmental media for extended periods. This persistence can lead to long-term environmental impacts, including potential harm to non-target organisms and the disruption of ecosystems.

In contrast, pesticides that rapidly degrade, possess a short environmental half-life, or are classified as environmentally friendly do not fit the definition of a persistent pesticide. Rapid degradation and short half-lives indicate that a substance quickly decomposes and diminishes in the environment, whereas environmentally friendly substances minimize ecological impact or break down easily, neither of which aligns with the traits of persistent pesticides.