ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY ASPECTS ON FIELD CROP SPRAYERS

Today the growing of crops is to a large extent based on the use of pesticides.
Apart from its effectiveness against pests, the use of pesticides has a variety of negative consequences.
Application methods and equipment have a decisive influence on the effect against pests and on the load on the outer environment and the working environment.

Overdosing/uneven dosing, unintentional spreading of pesticides into the surrounding environment and exposure risks for users are three problem areas that can be solved by better application technology.
This presupposes a total grip on pest, pesticide, method, equipment and operator.

The characteristics of field crop sprayers can, from an environmental point of view, be classified into four groups:

• Evenness of distribution and deposition

• Control of application rate (dose)

• Unintentional dispersal

• (Instructions for) safe use

Mainly due to concern about risks and the aim to reduce the use of pesticides, some countries have specified minimum requirements for field crop sprayers.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is working on an environmental safety standard for sprayers.

More accurate spraying and improvements in chemical handling techniques are key trends in todays development of field crop sprayers.

Symposium on Engineering as a Tool to reduce Pesticide Consumption and Operator Hazards in Horticulture

H. Hagenvall

Application technology, sprayer requirement, sprayer standard, sprayer safety, spraying environment

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.372.1