What is the term for the tendency of a pesticide to vaporize?

Volatility refers to the tendency of a pesticide to vaporize and enter the atmosphere as a gas. This characteristic is crucial to understand because it affects how pesticides behave in the environment after application. High volatility can lead to off-target movement, where the pesticide might drift away from the intended application area due to vaporization. This can result in unintended exposure to non-target plants, animals, and humans, thus making the understanding of volatility essential for effective and responsible pest management practices.

Leaching involves the movement of pesticides through the soil profile, typically into groundwater, while runoff pertains to the movement of pesticides over the soil surface into water bodies due to rainfall or irrigation. Drift usually refers to the airborne movement of pesticide droplets during application, rather than vaporization. Understanding these terms helps applicators make more informed decisions about pesticide use and mitigates potential risks associated with their application.