Abstract
Spray treatments with low volume controlled droplet application (CDA) hand sprayers generally gave lower levels of operator contamination than high volume treatments with knapsack sprayers. The majority of contamination (80-95%) occurred on the lower legs and feet, irrespective of sprayer type. There was considerable scope to greatly reduce contamination with all sprayer types by changing spray practices and by avoiding holding the spray lance in front of the operator. The use of a spray managementvalve (SMV) with the knapsack sprayer also reduced operator contamination.6 ref.Spray treatments with low volume controlled droplet application (CDA) hand sprayers generally gave lower levels of operator contamination than high volume treatments with knapsack sprayers. The majority of contamination (80-95%) occurred on the lower legs and feet, irrespective of sprayer type. There was considerable scope to greatly reduce contamination with all sprayer types by changing spray practices and by avoiding holding the spray lance in front of the operator. The use of a spray managementvalve (SMV) with the knapsack sprayer also reduced operator contamination.