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Chemicals - coping with spray drift

Chemical sprays can drift over people, neighbouring properties and waterways if they are not applied correctly. Workers at plant nurseries or orchards may also be exposed to agricultural chemicals being used nearby.

These sprays may affect human health, animals and the environment. If you think you have been exposed to chemicals, there are a number of agencies you can contact for help.

Activities that can result in chemical spray drift
Chemical spray drift can occur when:

• Applying agricultural chemicals - such as pesticides - to farms, gardens and roadside reserves. Chemicals may be sprayed using tractors and boom sprayers, or by aerial spraying from light planes.
• Disinfecting animal houses, such as poultry sheds.
• Fogging or misting warehouses (food stores, in particular).
• Spraying in windy conditions.

Public health concerns
Drifting chemicals can affect the public by causing:

• Actual health effects.
• Stress or anxiety about possible health effects.
• Concerns about the smell or general air pollution.

What to do if you come into 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, uncontaminated clothes.
• Contact your local doctor if you are concerned about any effects on your health.
• Contact the Poisons Information Centre for urgent advice about treating symptoms of poisoning.
• If the chemical contact has occurred at your workplace, contact your local office of Worksafe Victoria.
• Contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer for assistance with any further actions.

If you know which chemical you were exposed to, contact the manufacturer or supplier for advice. Ask them for a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet for that chemical.

Sprays and tank water
If you use tank water and the spray lands on your roof, disconnect the collection pipe from your rainwater tank to prevent any chemicals from entering the tank. Divert water away from the tank until it has rained, or until the roof has been cleaned.

If you think your tank has been contaminated, the water can be tested for spray residues. Contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer for advice.

Inform the relevant agencies
If you are concerned that chemical sprays may be affecting public health, contact:

• The Environmental Health Officer at your local council.
• Your nearest office of Worksafe Victoria (if you have been exposed to chemicals at work).
• The Department of Human Services Environmental Health Unit.

In an emergency
Contact:

• The Poisons Information Centre Tel. 131 126
• The Environment Protection Authority Tel. 9695 2772 or the Police and Emergency Services Tel. 000

Preventing chemical drift if you are spraying chemicals
Before you spray chemicals, consider:

• How close you are to houses, waterways and schools.
• The toxicity of the chemical you intend to use.
• The weather conditions - for example, don't spray if it's too windy or if it's completely still.
• The size of the chemical droplets - how far will they drift?
• Whether your application equipment is in good condition and is appropriate for local conditions.
• Whether it is the ideal season to spray. Some pests are resistant to chemicals at certain times of the year.

For advice about agricultural spray application methods, look at the brochure Reducing spray drift and the booklet Code of Practice for Farm Chemical Spray Application, available from your local office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), or contact your nearest DNRE Regional Chemical Standards Officer. Also, see the link to the Land Channel below.

Disposing of chemical containers
Environmental contamination can occur if containers are not stored or disposed of correctly. For information about disposing of chemical containers, contact:

• Your local council
• The chemical supplier
• Chemcollect, which operates a periodic chemical collection service. Call 1800 660 667 or visit their website at http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/Programs/#chemcollect for further information
• The National Association for Crop Protection and Animal Health (AVCARE)
• Department of Natural Resources and Environment Regional Office.

Where to get help

• Your local council Environmental Health Officer
• Worksafe Victoria - your nearest office or the Emergency Response Service Tel. 0407 833 306 (24 hours)
• Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) Regional Chemical Standards Officers
• DNRE Chemical Information Service Tel. (03) 9210 9379 or DNRE Chenical Information Service Website
  
• Environment Protection Authority - your nearest office or Tel. (03) 9695 2777 (24 hours)
• Regional Environmental Health Officer, Department of Human Services
• AVCARE Tel. (02) 6230 6399
• Poisons Information Centre Tel. 131 126

Things to remember

• There are a number of agencies you can contact if you have concerns about sprayed chemicals.
• If you use chemicals, think about the steps you can take to reduce the risk of chemical drift.
• Dispose of unwanted chemicals and chemical containers properly, to avoid contaminating the environment.
  

  Related articles:

Arsenic and health.
Farm safety - handling chemicals.
Hazardous waste.
Pollution - air.
Rural life - theme page.
Workplace safety - hazardous substances.


This page has been sourced from the Better Health Channel and produced in consultation with, and approved by the following sponsor. The sponsor logo links to more information relevant to this article.

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Chemicals - coping with spray drift fact sheet in PDF format.
Article publication date: 07/06/2000
Last reviewed: 31/08/2005

Quality assurance

This article, like all health articles on the Disability Online, is sourced from Better Health Channel and has passed through a rigorous and exhaustive approval process. It is also regularly updated. For more information see Better Health Channel quality assurance page.


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