The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a voluntary Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) program to encourage the use of safer pesticide application equipment to reduce exposure to pesticides.

The program encourages manufacturers to test their technologies, such as nozzles, spray shields, and drift reduction chemicals, for their potential to reduce drift. The DRT program has ratings, represented by one, two, three, or four stars, for technologies that demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in drift compared with the standard.

Manufacturers interested in participating can submit data verifying how their technology reduces pesticide movement. EPA will evaluate submissions and assign an appropriate star rating.

For more information, go to www2.epa.gov/reducing-pesticide-drift.