MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which dry/solid formulation is mixed in water to reduce inhalation exposure during mixing and loading?

1. Water-soluble powder

2. Water-dispersible granule (WDG)

3. Granular bait

4. Wettable powder

The correct answer is: Water-dispersible granule (WDG)

The water-dispersible granule (WDG) formulation is specifically designed to be mixed with water before application, which helps to reduce the risk of inhalation exposure during the mixing and loading process. WDGs typically dissolve in water to form a suspension that can be easily applied, meaning that they are not in a fine dust form when being handled. This characteristic is important for operator safety, as it minimizes the potential for harmful dust particles to be inhaled. In contrast, water-soluble powders are also mixed in water but may not provide the same level of protection from inhalation during the mixing process, as they can still generate airborne particles if not handled properly. Granular baits are typically used as-is and are not mixed in water, while wettable powders require agitation and may generate dust if exposed to air during mixing, which can increase inhalation risk. Therefore, WDGs offer a more effective solution for minimizing inhalation exposure when being mixed and loaded into application equipment.