QAL Laws & Regulation Practice Exam

What is one of the dangers associated with high spray pressure during pesticide applications?

1. Increased evaporation

2. Overspray onto non-target areas

3. Risk of drift

4. Potential for etching surfaces

The correct answer is: Potential for etching surfaces

High spray pressure during pesticide applications can significantly contribute to the risk of drift. Drift refers to the unintended movement of pesticide droplets away from the target area during or after application. When spray pressure is increased, the finer droplets produced have a higher likelihood of being carried by wind or other environmental factors away from the intended application site. This can result in pesticides affecting non-target areas, which is particularly concerning for human health, beneficial organisms, and the surrounding environment. Although options related to evaporation, overspray, and surface etching may have some relevance, they do not capture the primary danger of high spray pressure as effectively as the potential for drift. Overspray may occur with high pressure but is often linked to the spray technique rather than pressure alone, while increased evaporation is typically more related to environmental conditions rather than the pressure itself. Surface etching may happen, but it is less commonly associated directly with high spray pressure compared to the environmental consequences of drift.