What is a disadvantage associated with dust formulations?

Dust formulations are commonly used in pesticide applications, but a significant disadvantage they bring is the risk of drift and inhalation. When dust is applied, it can easily become airborne due to even minimal wind or air movement. This increases the likelihood that the pesticide can drift away from the target area and potentially affect non-target plants, beneficial insects, or even humans and animals in the vicinity. Additionally, because dust can be inhaled, there are inhalation risks for both the applicator and bystanders, leading to potential health hazards.

This characteristic of dust formulations makes careful planning and conditions management essential during application to minimize unintended exposure and environmental contamination. Other factors, such as high solubility or low persistence, do not typically characterize dust formulations, nor is high application cost considered a common issue with dusts used for pesticides.