Operational risk assessment of sprayers by environmental impact analysis

A method is presented for the assessment of operational risk from the use o f sprayers based on environmental impact analysis. The method expresses the risk as a sum of possible negative outcomes on the environment and the ope rator, considering the effects of a set of factors relating to pesticide ap plications. Risk assessment has been carried out for the more representativ e types of sprayers, highlighting the advantages that can be obtained throu gh technological improvements and operational constraints. The method allow s a risk to be associated with each sprayer so that a risk classification m ay be expressed. (C) 1998 Silsoe Research Institute.