Agricultural chemical drift - Investigating chemical drift incidents

General recommendations

1. Determine the nature of the incident. See the 'Referrals' section and the contact list in appendix 5.
   
2. Consider whether the following advice is relevant to the particular incident:

Human health concerns

If people have been exposed to agricultural chemicals and are concerned about possible health effects, refer them to their own doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If an enquiry is made soon after the incident (on the same day), and it appears that people may have come in physical contact with a chemical, advise the caller to wash off any spray that may have contacted them and to change into clean (uncontaminated) clothes.

Chemical information

Specific information about commercial chemicals can be found in the relevant MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), available from the chemical supplier or manufacturer. The Chemical Information Service conducted by DNRE Chemical Standards Branch can provide information about registered agricultural and veterinary chemicals - trade names, manufacturers, active ingredients, etc.

For further information and advice about chemical exposure and health, contact the Department of Human Services Environmental Health Unit.

Water tanks

If tank water is collected for drinking, and it has not rained since the spraying incident, divert water from the tank until it has rained or the roof has been washed down, or until the roof has been tested for spray residues.

Further advice is available from the Department of Human Services Environmental Health Unit.

Livestock

If there is suspected contamination of livestock, or water or pasture consumed by livestock, refer to the DNRE District Veterinary Officer as well as the RCSO.

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Informing other agencies

In some instances, it is important to refer the issue - not just the enquirer - to another agency, especially where the issue could result in prosecution or other official action, or have implications for changes to policy or practice.

In such cases, the referring officer should contact the relevant agency directly - by telephone or in writing, as appropriate to the circumstances - and pass on all relevant information. These cases for inter-agency follow up will need to be considered on an individual basis.

Evidence

Spray drift incidents that are investigated weeks or months afterwards can be difficult to interpret. If the incident requires investigation, it is important to obtain as much evidence as possible during and immediately after the incident.

Photographs

Photographs of the spraying incident and/or the location of the incident, especially showing proximity to sites of interest (houses, schools, watercourses, etc) can be very useful.

Date* and sign the back of photographs taken during an investigation, certifying the location and the date the photographs were taken.

*If the camera has a date setting, ensure that the date is correct.

Samples for chemical analysis

Ensure that samples to be tested for chemical residues (for example, crops, surrounding vegetation or water from rivers, dams or rainwater tanks, etc) are analysed at a laboratory accredited to perform the desired type of analysis (for example, NATA-accredited).

'Background' samples or uncontaminated reference samples should also be investigated for comparison.

See appendix 2 for further discussion of sampling.

Protecting evidence

Altering evidence, for example by harvesting or grazing an affected area before the investigation is complete, may prevent a satisfactory investigation and may even be a breach of some legislation (see appendix 1).

While the incident is being investigated, affected persons should be advised to contact the investigating officer before harvesting allegedly injured crops or otherwise altering evidence. They should also be advised to seek legal advice if appropriate.

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