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It is one of the most negative effects of pesticide application. Drift can damage human health, environment, and crops. [1] [2] Together with runoff and leaching, drift is a mechanism for agricultural pollution. [3] Some drift results from contamination of sprayer tanks. [4] Farmers struggle to minimize pesticide drift and remain productive. [5]
Ground spraying produces less pesticide drift than aerial spraying does. [54] Farmers can employ a buffer zone around their crop, consisting of empty land or non-crop plants such as Evergreen trees to serve as windbreaks and absorb the pesticides, preventing drift into other areas. [55] Such windbreaks are legally required in the Netherlands. [55]
The third type of poisoning is a long-term low-level exposure, which individuals are exposed to from sources such as pesticide residues in food as well as contact with pesticide residues in the air, water, soil, sediment, food materials, plants and animals.
Herbicides are designed and used to control unwanted plants such as agricultural weeds. However, the use of herbicides can cause phytotoxic effects on non-targeted plants through wind-blown spray drift or from the use of herbicide-contaminated material (such as straw or manure) being applied to the soil. [5]
The use of biological pest control agents, or using predators, parasitoids, parasites, and pathogens to control agricultural pests, has the potential to reduce agricultural pollution associated with other pest control techniques, such as pesticide use. The merits of introducing non-native biocontrol agents have been widely debated, however.
Aquatic Life Aquatic animals are impacted by pesticide runoff from agricultural fields and urban areas. Fish and amphibians are particularly at risk as pesticides can contaminate water bodies, leading to lethal and sublethal effects. Pesticides can disrupt the endocrine systems of fish, affecting their growth, reproduction, and development.
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These tests evaluate: whether the pesticide has the potential to cause adverse effects (including cancer and reproductive system disorders) on humans, wildlife, fish, and plants, including endangered species and non-target organisms; and possible contamination of surface water or ground water from leaching, runoff, and spray drift. [4]