Georgia Pest Control Practice Test

Which pesticide formulation is most likely to drift and cause environmental harm?

1. Wettable powders

2. Dusts

3. Emulsifiable concentrates

4. Granules

The correct answer is: Dusts

The correct answer identifies dusts as the pesticide formulation most likely to drift and cause environmental harm. Dusts are finely powdered formulations that can easily become airborne due to wind, air movement, or during application. This inherent characteristic makes dusts prone to drifting away from the targeted area, potentially affecting non-target plants, beneficial insects, and water sources. In contrast, wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, and granules typically have properties that reduce the likelihood of drift. Wettable powders, while they can also be formulated to become suspended in water, generally settle more readily than dusts. Emulsifiable concentrates, which mix both oil and water, form emulsions that tend to remain more localized during application. Granules are heavier and tend to settle quickly on the soil surface, minimizing their potential to drift into unintended areas. Understanding the behavior of different pesticide formulations in the environment is crucial for pest control professionals to minimize harmful impacts on the ecosystem. Dusts, due to their light and airy nature, stand out as the formulation with the highest drift potential and subsequent risk of environmental harm.