You are here: NPIC Home Page —> Pesticide Regulations —> Federal Pesticide Regulation —> EPA Pesticide Regulation —> Pesticide Drift
Pesticide Drift
Pesticide drift is the movement of pesticides away from the intended application site. Pesticide dust or droplets can be carried away by wind and other factors. Pesticide drift can cause accidental exposures of people, animals or plants. There are many practices that can be followed to minimize pesticide drift, here are a few:
- Read and follow the label directions carefully.
- When spraying, adjust the nozzle and pressure to make bigger droplets. Smaller droplets can travel further on the wind.
- When dusting, consider the location, air movement, and drafts from opening/closing doors.
To learn more, see the resources below or contact NPIC for assistance. If you have questions about drift, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (7:30am-3:30pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.
Additional Resources:
- Pesticide Spray and Dust Drift - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Protecting Your Organic Land from Unwanted Chemical Sprays - Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
- Pesticide Volatilization - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Reducing Pesticide Drift - Clemson University
- Avoiding Pesticide Drift - Montana State University Extension Service
- Recognizing and Reporting Pesticide Problems: Pesticide Drift - California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
- Pesticide Drift Management - Oregon State University Integrated Plant Protection Center
- Pesticide Spray Drift (video) - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Last updated May 23, 2013
