User:PurpleSnails/Pesticide drift

Drift Reduction Methods
To mitigate pesticide drift one will need to inspect their equipment. Before application, check to see if applicators, hoses, braces, springs, clamps, or any other equipment is bent, damaged, or clogged. If any of the equipment is damaged there is a higher chance for airflow to move droplets from the intended application site. When using ground boom sprayers be sure to set nozzle heights that are not too high above the intended crop. Nozzles that are too high above the target will lead to more airflow under the nozzle and carry droplets of pesticides to other unintended locations. Be aware of the weather when it is time to apply pesticides, if the outside temperature is hot, if there is lots of moisture in the air, or if it is windy, there is a higher chance for pesticide drift.

Regulations
In 2001, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published a guidance to "manufacturers, formulators, and registrants of pesticide products" (EPA 2001) that stated the EPA's stance against pesticide drift as well as suggested product labelling practices.

To try and reduce pesticide drift, the EPA is a part of several initiatives. The EPA has routine pesticide risk assessments to check potential drift impact on farmworkers living near or on fields where crops are grown, farmworkers, water sources, and the environment. The USDA and EPA are working together to examine new studies and how to improve scientific models to estimate the exposure, risk, and drift of pesticides. The EPA is also working with pesticide manufactures to ensure labels are easy to read, contain the correct application process and DRT for that specific pesticide.