What characteristic is critical in selecting a pesticide for applications near sensitive areas?

When selecting a pesticide for applications near sensitive areas, the likelihood of leaching into groundwater is a critical characteristic to consider. This is because sensitive areas, such as water bodies, wetlands, or locations near drinking water sources, require special attention to protect the ecosystem and human health from potential contamination. If a pesticide has a high likelihood of leaching, it can migrate from the application site into groundwater, posing risks to both environmental quality and public safety.

Choosing pesticides with low leaching potential helps minimize the risk of groundwater contamination, which is essential for protecting sensitive habitats and maintaining clean drinking water. This characteristic plays a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable pest management practices, where the efficacy of pest control does not compromise environmental integrity. Other factors like the cost of the pesticide, the range of pests it controls, and the concentration of active ingredients are important for overall pesticide selection, but they do not directly relate to the immediate risks of groundwater contamination in sensitive areas.