QAL Laws & Regulation Practice Exam

What can cause etching on surfaces during a pesticide application?

1. Spray pressure being too high

2. Inert ingredients

3. Temperature of the spray

4. Size of the spray droplets

The correct answer is: Inert ingredients

Etching on surfaces during a pesticide application primarily results from the composition and characteristics of the pesticide formulation, particularly the inert ingredients. These inert ingredients can include solvents or surfactants that may react with the surface material, especially if the surface is sensitive. In some cases, these inert substances can have corrosive properties or can enhance the ability of the active ingredients to penetrate the surface, leading to damage or etching. This is particularly relevant when applying pesticides on sensitive surfaces like glass, painted surfaces, or certain types of plastics, which might not be resistant to chemicals commonly used in pesticide formulations. In contrast, the other factors such as spray pressure, temperature, and droplet size may impact the efficacy and coverage of the pesticide application but are typically less influential in causing surface etching directly. High spray pressure, for instance, might lead to drift or inadequate coverage rather than etching, while droplet size, while significant for application uniformity and absorption, does not inherently corrode surfaces. Similarly, temperature can affect evaporation and performance but does not usually contribute to etching itself.