Spray drift
About spray drift
Health risks
Requirements under the law
Managing the risks
Reporting and resolving spray drift issues
About spray drift
Agricultural spray drift is the physical movement of agricultural chemicals (eg pesticides) through the air at or soon after application, to any site other than where it was intended to be applied.
Some degree of agricultural spray drift will occur from nearly all applications of agricultural chemicals, whether they are applied using ground spray equipment or through aerial application. However, there are requirements under the law and ways of managing the risk to eliminate or minimise spray drift.
Health risks
The health risks associated with exposure to spray drift vary dependent on the individual, level of exposure and agricultural chemical used.
If you are exposed to spray drift and your skin has come into physical contact with agricultural chemicals, always shower and wash with soap then change into clean clothes.
For some people, exposure to spray drift can cause ?sensory irritation? such as asthma symptoms, headaches or nausea. These symptoms can be a reaction to the odour, and are not necessarily a response to toxicity, or over-exposure to chemicals.
If you feel unwell after exposure to spray drift you should seek medical advice and/or testing, or call the Poisons Information Centre for immediate advice on 13 11 26 if you know what you have been exposed to. Your doctor can also contact the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (non-Queensland Government link) for advice.
Report an adverse reaction with agricultural chemicals (non-Queensland Government link)
Requirements under the law
There are requirements under the law for the distribution of agricultural chemicals that relate to the management of spray drift. For example it is an offence to carry out ground or aerial distribution with equipment or under meteorological (weather) conditions that might reasonably be expected to cause damage to crops not intended to be treated, or livestock.
For more information on these requirements, including advice on avoiding spray drift, refer to the:
Aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
Ground distribution of herbicides
Agricultural chemicals users’ manual.
Managing the risks
Where there is a risk that neighbours and other members of the public could be exposed to chemical spray drift specific controls should be put in place.
Some of the controls include:
- notifying the neighbours before the application;
- having a buffer zone (eg trees on the boundary) to capture droplets before they can drift onto neighbouring properties;
- using low volatile formulations in areas where sensitive crops are grown nearby or where elevated temperatures may occur after spraying;
- using equipment designed with characteristics that produce a nearly uniform droplet size;
- using non-drip valves and recirculating systems;
- frequent and accurate spray rig calibration;
- using a rain drop nozzle may allow spraying to occur in a wider range of meteorological conditions without creating a drift hazard;
- taking weather conditions into consideration - for example:
- winds between 3 - 15 km/hour (not too still, not too windy);
- spraying into crosswinds rather than directly into or with the breeze;
- considering humidity, as low humidity can contribute to spray drift for water based pesticide formulations;
- stopping spraying if wind direction changes or becomes variable.
For detailed information, guidelines and principles for responsible agricultural chemical use refer to the Agricultural chemicals users’ manual
Reporting and resolving spray drift issues
Common issues relating to the use of agricultural chemicals and spray drift and ways to resolve them include:
Health effects
If you feel unwell after exposure to spray drift you should seek medical advice and/or testing, or call the Poisons Information Centre for immediate advice. If you know what you have been exposed to.your doctor can also contact the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (non-Queensland Government link) for advice.
If you are concerned about the health and safety of workers spraying chemicals, or others exposed to spray drift, contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Infoline on 1300 369 915 or visit a district office.
Consulting and notifying neighbours about spray operations
Consulting with and notifying neighbours or the community about spray operations, including when they are occurring and what is being sprayed, allows people to prepare for the possibility of spray drift, including:
- negotiating the time of spraying so family activities can be planned to minimise exposure, or your neighbour can plan to be away from the area at the time of application
- closing all windows and doors and keeping children inside when spraying is taking place
Contact your local Chemical Liaison Group through your local council for more information.
Alleged damage to crops or stock
If you believe spray drift has caused agricultural damage you can contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on 13 25 23.
Unpleasant odour or annoyance
If the issue originates from a workplace you can contact your local council. You can also contact the nearest Dispute Resolution Centre.
If the issue originates from a domestic premises, you can contact your local council.
Environmental effects
If you believe wildlife (for example frogs, fish or birds) has been killed as a result of agricultural spraying, or a watercourse has been contaminated, you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency.
Rainwater tank contamination
Agricultural chemicals used in spray applications are already diluted, and any spray drift landing on a roof will be greatly diluted by rain water. First flush dumping systems, which should be on all rainwater tanks, also help prevent spray drift from contaminating tanks.
However, if your tank water has an obvious odour or unpleasant taste it should be emptied and new water brought in.
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