Real-time particle monitoring of pesticide drift from an axial fan airblast orchard sprayer.

ABSTRACT: In Washington State, a majority of reported pesticide-related illnesses and application-related complaints involve drift. We employed real-time particle monitors (Dylos) during a series of experimental spray events investigating drift. Sections of an orchard block were randomly sprayed by an axial fan airblast sprayer, while monitors sampled particulate matter above and below the canopy at various downwind locations. We found elevated particle mass concentrations (PMC) at all distances (16-74 m). The 75th percentile PMC while spraying was significantly greater than the control periods by 107 (95% CI 94-121) μg/m³, after adjusting for sampler height and wind speed. The 75th percentile PMC below the canopy was significantly greater than above the canopy by 9.4 (95% CI 5.2-12) μg/m

SUBMITTER: Blanco MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6469994 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature