QAL Laws & Regulation Practice Exam

What is the main cause of particle drift in pesticide application?

1. Pesticides applied in calm conditions

2. Dust formulations applied just before or during windy conditions

3. Container mishandling during storage

4. Inappropriate application methods

The correct answer is: Dust formulations applied just before or during windy conditions

The main cause of particle drift in pesticide applications is often related to environmental conditions, particularly wind. When dust formulations are applied just before or during windy conditions, the likelihood of particles being carried away from the intended application area increases significantly. Wind can lift and transport these particles over long distances, leading to unintended exposure of adjoining areas, which can affect non-target organisms, crops, and ecosystems. In contrast, applying pesticides in calm conditions tends to minimize the risk of drift since there is less air movement to carry the particles away from the target area. Likewise, container mishandling during storage does not directly contribute to drift during application; instead, it may lead to other issues such as contamination or spillage. Inappropriate application methods can impact efficiency and coverage but are not the primary cause of drift compared to the influence of wind on dust formulations. Thus, the key factor in particle drift is indeed the environmental conditions during application, particularly windy conditions.