Currently used pesticides (CUPs) in Western Canada: sources, atmospheric transport, transformations, and new trace analytical methodologies

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Agrochemical use is of increasing concern to Canadians due to the potential impacts on the environment and human health, with currently used pesticides (CUPs) and their metabolites or degradates becoming ubiquitous in drinking water, aquatic systems, food supplies, and the air we breathe. In the last 3-4 years CUPs have been detected in the atmosphere in agricultural regions across Canada, providing evidence of the importance of the atmospheric pathway their movement. Our studies examine two distinctive western Canada agricultural regions:the Fraser and Okanogan Valleys in BC, dominated by berries and fruit trees, and the Prairie agricultural region, which spans AB, SK, MB and contains over 89% of area planted for grains in Canada. These regions are at high risk for increased infestations and production pressures as a result of land-use changes and drought expected from climate change, and understanding agrochemical sources, pathways of movement, and transformations in the environment is a critical component to establishing Canadian's position for both national and international policies.