1 Purpose and Scope

1.1 Purpose of this standard is to identify Best Management Practices (BMPs) to enhance responsible stewardship of pest control products associated with the spray application process, with emphasis on equipment selection, setup, and use for efficient application with minimal off-target spray drift and to comply with the pest control product label. The standard codifies basic BMPs for boom spraying in a step-by-step procedure for a wide audience ranging from those with little familiarity with sprayers to seasoned professionals and researchers. Specific steps apply to many boom spray applications, and the concepts presented will apply to most boom spray applications. Applicators must be well informed about the specific recommendations for a given pesticide, and must follow federal, state, and local government laws and regulations on pesticide application. Ordinances should be consulted to ensure compliance with codes that are more restrictive than those presented in this standard.

1.2 Scope of the standard is inclusive of ground-operated horizontal boom sprayers, which are typically used but not restricted to deposit spraying of production fields, pastures, turf and lawns. Boom sprayers with deposition aides such as air-assistance, shields, foils, or other devices and atomizers that use pneumatic, rotary, electrostatic, or other alternatives – each may require additional steps and considerations beyond the minimum basics outlined by this standard to ensure full application benefit of that technology. Similarly, technologies subjected and approved to validation tests of U.S. EPA Drift Reduction Technology program may complement the minimum basics outlined by this BMP. The scope excludes aerial and orchard/vineyard air blast spray applications.