Monitoring drift of fenitrothion MC, following application by a radio-controlled helicopter on pine [Pinus] trees in Akita prefecture [Japan]

The present study monitored spray drift, deposition and residues on branches and leaves of pine trees over time after Sumipine MCsup(R) was applied by a radio-controlled helicopter over pine trees at Katagami-shi Tenno, Hamayama-chiku, Akita prefecture in 2006. As bio-monitoring of the spray drift, the mortality of the housefly in various locations was also observed. Fenitrothion in the atmosphere was trapped at several locations within and around the sprayed area using a Sep-Pak PS-Air cartridge, which was placed horizontally at heights of 15, 8 and 1.5 m above the ground. All atmospheric fenitrothion detected was below the permissible limit of 10 microg/cubic m, except within the sprayed area. These results imply that the Sumipine MCsup(R) spray poses little health risk to neighboring inhabitants.