Anti-drift additives may volatilise alongside herbicides, causing pollution

Crop spraying

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Research suggests amine salts could be entering atmosphere, but manufacturers say lab model is unrealistic

Amines that are mixed with popular herbicides to help them stick to surfaces and prevent them drifting and damaging nearby plants may actually volatilise themselves, a team of US researchers has suggested.

The amine additives could enter the atmosphere, where they pose risks for human health and affect atmospheric chemistry, warns the team from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, led by environmental and chemical engineer Kimberly Parker.