Spray drift, environmental

How to comply with the conditions of approval Selection of protective clothing How to avoid spray drift How to avoid environmental damage... 

Competence Information Evaluation of possible problems Every user must be competent (Certificate of Competence required in UK) Workers must be supplied with sufficient information and guidance Product selection How to comply with the conditions of approval Selection of protective clothing How to avoid spray drift How to avoid environmental damage Need to warn neighbours and others who may tie affected etc. 

It is important for the public to recognize that there is no fixed distance or buffer zone for a safe distance to provide protection from spray drift. This will be a function of the pesticide being used, its toxicity and environmental behavior such as bioaccumulation, the nature and sensitivity of the downwind sites, and the nature of the application method, meteorological conditions, and so on. 

The interpretation of the effects of such drift, particularly its potential for adverse effects on human health, is dependent on some of the parameters of environmental behavior shown on Table VIII. The dose is given at 2 lbs/acre and translated into a deposit level of 20 mg/square foot, which is more useful in the interpretation of exposure data. The figures given for the deposit amount from spray drift at 100 yards and 1/2 mile are the figures for drift from a coarse spray on flat land for small target areas and are average drift amounts. The figure of 20 mg/kg is the NOEL for 2,4-D. 

Environmental conditions - climatological factors, such as temperature and humidity, may influence chemical volatility, perspiration rate and use of protective clothing. Wind can have a profound effect on spray drift, and resultant exposure to the applicator. 

Woods N., Craig I.P. and Dorr, G. (2001) Measurement of spray drift of pesticides arising from aerial application in cotton. Journal of Environmental Quality 30(3), May-June 2001, 697-701. 

A considerable amount of research effort has been expended for the management of spray drift in Europe and North America. However, not only has exodrift been reduced at the expense of endodrift (as discussed above), but conventional drift control may also impose substantial burdens on the development of environmentally benign microbial agents. Since effective delivery... 

Despite advantages of economic and biological effectiveness there are hazards involved with the use of such low-volume sprays. The fine droplets drift and, because of their biological effectiveness to targets and nontargets, present toxicological and environmental hazards. Therefore, the use of such formulations is on the decline. 

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