Chemical spray drift cannot always be contained or controlled completely, despite correct application. Chemical sprays may drift over neighbouring properties or waterways and can affect human health, animals or the environment. Spray drift can affect household and farm water supplies, including tank water. If you are concerned that you or those around you may have been exposed to chemical spray drift, there are a number of agencies you can contact for help.
Their numbers are listed in the Where to get help section of this fact sheet. In an emergency, dial triple zero to contact police, fire and ambulance emergency services.
Causes of chemical spray drift Activities that can result in chemical spray drift include: spraying agricultural chemicals — such as pesticides on farms, gardens and roadside reserves using tractors, boom sprayers or by aerial spraying disinfecting animal houses — such as poultry sheds.
Speak with your local fumigation expert Fumigating warehouses — for example, grain stores. Public health concerns and chemicals Drifting chemicals can affect the public by causing: Actual health effects although these are usually short term and happen rarely Stress or anxiety about possible longer-term health effects Concerns about the odour or general air pollution. Health impacts of exposure to chemicals The potential health impacts of exposure to chemical spray drift depend on: how close the person is to the application of the chemical the amount of drift the toxicity of the chemical the nature and extent of exposure through inhalation or skin the duration of exposure.
After contact with chemical sprays If you come into contact with chemical sprays: Wash off any spray that has landed on your skin. Change into clean clothes. Contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for urgent advice about treating any symptoms of poisoning. Contact your local doctor if you are concerned about any effects on your health.
If the chemical contact occurred at your workplace, contact your local office of WorkSafe Victoria. If you know which chemical you were exposed to, contact the manufacturer or supplier for advice. This would include people being directly exposed to spray drift or concern about spray drift affecting private drinking water or vegetable gardens Department of Primary Industries, Customer Service Centre — if you are concerned that the sprays may affect livestock or agricultural crops.
This may include concerns about spray drift affecting your commercial organic produce WorkSafe Victoria — if you are concerned about workplace practices that may affect the health of workers or the public onsite or on adjoining properties.
WorkSafe Victoria has the power to investigate occupational health issues that occur as a result of work activities Environment Protection Authority EPA — if you are concerned that sprays may cause pollution of waterways, air or land ChemClear — for the management of unwanted rural or veterinary chemicals Sustainability Victoria, Detox Your Home — for information on detoxing your home Poisons Information Centre — for advice about personal exposure and appropriate first aid Department of Health Environmental Health Unit — for general information about chemicals.
Water quality can influence the efficacy of chemicals used in spraying crops and pastures. This page provides information about how water quality affects herbicides and insecticides in a spray mix. Inactivation occurs when the herbicide binds adsorbs to contaminants — such as clay and silt — and reduces activity of the herbicide. Inactivation can also occur when mixing trace elements with some herbicides in the tank. When water quality is less than optimal, apply the spray as soon as possible; do not leave the mix standing in the spray tank.
If in doubt, get your water tested. Read the label prior to mixing and applying any pesticide; the effect of variation in water quality on a pesticide will be outlined on the product label, usually in the section on tank mixing. Acidity or alkalinity affects the rate of hydrolysis or breakdown of chemicals in water. The pH scale is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water, and is based around a pH of 7 being neutral, pH of greater than 7 being alkaline, and pH of less than 7 being acid.
Organophosphate, carbonate and pyrethroid insecticides are often more prone to alkaline hydrolysis than other insecticides, herbicides or fungicides. Some insecticides carbofuran, dimethoate, methyl parathion, monocrotophos, phorate, trichlorfon and glyphosate herbicide provide better control in acid water of pH 4—6. Copper, lime and lime sulphur sprays should be applied in alkaline water to reduce crop damage.
Bacillus thuringiensis Bt are also sensitive to alkaline water, but good formulations contain a buffering agent.
Some pesticides have a very short half-life; the time it takes for half of the chemical to be degraded. Spray as soon as possible after mixing, and clean out as soon as possible after spraying. Water quality for spraying. Page last updated: Tuesday, 9 April - am. Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.
Nozzles for spraying herbicides. Water quality for spraying How water quality affects pesticides Hydrolysis Inactivation Quality Water quality factors that affect chemical performance and possible remedies Water quality affecting herbicides Water quality affecting insecticides Water pH. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Even with immediate treatment, it can be life-threatening or result in serious, long-term complications.
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