What is the purpose of buffer zones in drift management?

• A. To protect non-target crops, water bodies, and people from drift; maintain buffer zones.
• B. To increase pesticide volatility.
• C. To serve as storage area for containers.
• D. To replace the need for PPE.

Answer: (A)

Buffer zones are protective margins around where a pesticide is applied, created to reduce drift. They act as barriers between the treated area and nearby sensitive sites—non-target crops, water bodies, and people—so pesticides are less likely to move off the target field by air. The size and existence of these zones come from the product label and local rules, and factors like droplet size, spray method, and weather can affect how much drift could occur. That’s why this option is the best: it directly describes using a buffer to shield non-target crops, water bodies, and people and to maintain that protective distance as required. The other choices don’t fit drift management: buffer zones don’t increase volatility, aren’t storage areas for containers, and don’t replace the need for PPE.