Chemical Spray Drift in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are commonly used on farms, in home gardens, along roadsides, and in parks and public spaces throughout the Grand Rapids area. When these products are sprayed, tiny droplets can remain suspended in the air and be carried by the wind away from the target site. This is known as chemical spray drift.

In West Michigan—where we see frequent wind off Lake Michigan, changing weather fronts, and strong seasonal shifts—spray drift can be a particular concern for nearby homes, schools, waterways, and urban gardens.

What Is Chemical Spray Drift?

Chemical spray drift occurs when:

  • Droplets or particles from a spray application move off the intended area
  • Vapors from certain chemicals travel through the air after application

Even when chemicals are applied correctly, some drift can still occur. In the Grand Rapids region, this can affect:

  • Neighboring homes and yards
  • School grounds and playgrounds
  • Community gardens and urban farms
  • Local waterways, including the Grand River and its tributaries
  • Household and farm water supplies, including roof-fed rainwater tanks and wells

Spray drift can impact human health, pets and livestock, wildlife, and the environment.

Common Sources of Spray Drift Around Grand Rapids

Activities that can result in chemical spray drift include:

  • Agricultural spraying
    • Row crops and orchards in Kent County and surrounding rural areas
    • Application using tractors, boom sprayers, or aerial spraying
  • Residential and urban use
    • Lawn care and weed control in neighborhoods
    • Garden and tree spraying in backyards
  • Public and commercial areas
    • Roadside weed control along highways and local roads
    • Parks, sports fields, golf courses, and school grounds
    • Grain storage and warehouse fumigation
    • Disinfection of animal housing (e.g., poultry or livestock facilities)

In a metro area like Grand Rapids—with close proximity between neighborhoods, farms, and industrial zones—these activities can bring chemicals into contact with people who are not directly involved in the spraying.

Health Effects of Chemical Spray Drift

The potential health impacts of exposure to chemical spray drift depend on:

  • How close you are to where the chemical is applied
  • The duration of exposure (how long you are exposed)
  • The amount of drift (concentration in the air or on surfaces)
  • The toxicity of the chemical
  • How you are exposed (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion)

Possible Short-Term (Acute) Symptoms

Most reported health effects from spray drift are short term and may include:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
  • Headache, dizziness, or nausea
  • Skin redness, itching, or burning where the chemical touched

Possible Longer-Term Concerns

Some people may experience:

  • Worry, stress, or anxiety about potential long-term effects
  • Concerns about repeated low-level exposure, especially for children, pregnant people, and those with asthma or chronic lung disease

If you have ongoing symptoms or are worried about long-term health, contact your healthcare provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or another local clinic.

What To Do If You Come Into Contact With Chemical Spray Drift

If you believe you have been exposed to chemical spray drift in Grand Rapids or nearby areas:

  1. Get to fresh air immediately

    • Move indoors and close windows and doors, or move upwind and away from the spray area.

  2. Remove contamination from skin and eyes

    • Wash any spray off your skin with plenty of soap and lukewarm water.
    • If the chemical gets in your eyes, rinse with clean, running water for at least 15 minutes.

  3. Change into clean clothes

    • Remove any clothing that may have chemical residue.
    • Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag until it can be washed separately.

  4. Seek medical advice

    • Call your doctor, urgent care, or local hospital (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids).
    • If symptoms are severe (trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, collapse), call 911 immediately.

  5. Contact Poison Help

    • In the U.S., call the Poison Help line at 1‑800‑222‑1222 for urgent advice about treating possible poisoning from chemical sprays.

If you know the name of the chemical, keep the container or label with you when seeking medical help, and ask the manufacturer or supplier for a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Spray Drift and Household Water (Including Tanks and Wells)

In the Grand Rapids area, some residents use roof-fed rainwater tanks for gardening and private wells for drinking water, especially in rural Kent County and surrounding townships.

If chemical spray lands on your roof or near your water source:

  1. For rainwater tanks

    • Disconnect the collection pipe from your rainwater tank to prevent chemicals from entering the tank.
    • Divert roof runoff away from the tank until:
      • There has been a good “first flush” of rain to rinse the roof, or
      • The roof has been thoroughly cleaned.

  2. For private wells

    • If spraying occurred near your well or you suspect contamination:
      • Avoid using the water for drinking or cooking until you get advice.
      • Consider having your water tested.

  3. Who to contact locally

    • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for:
      • Advice on potential contamination
      • Testing options and water safety information
    • Your local municipality’s environmental health or public works department for further guidance

Local Agencies and Resources in Grand Rapids

If you are concerned that chemical spray drift is affecting public health, animals, or the environment in the Grand Rapids area, you can contact:

  • Emergency services

    • Call 911 for any life‑threatening emergency.

  • Poison Help

    • 1‑800‑222‑1222 (national Poison Help line) for advice on personal exposure and first aid.

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Concerns about:
      • Public health impacts of spray drift
      • Possible contamination of private drinking water, rainwater tanks, or vegetable gardens

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

    • Environmental Health Division for general information about chemicals and health.

  • Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)

    • Concerns about:
      • Spray drift affecting livestock or agricultural crops
      • Commercial organic produce and certification issues
      • Agricultural spray application standards and complaints

  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)

    • Concerns about workplace practices that may affect the health of workers or the public on or near job sites.

  • Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

    • If you are concerned that sprays may cause pollution of:
      • Waterways (including the Grand River and local streams)
      • Air or land in the Grand Rapids region

  • Local city or township offices (Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, etc.)

    • Environmental health or code enforcement staff can help with:
      • Local complaints
      • Guidance on next steps
      • Information on chemical collection or drop‑off events

Using Agricultural and Lawn Chemicals Safely in West Michigan

If you apply chemicals on your farm, business, or property in or around Grand Rapids, you are responsible for minimizing spray drift and protecting neighbors, schools, and the environment.

Before You Spray, Consider:

  • Nearby sensitive areas

    • Homes and apartments
    • Schools and childcare centers
    • Hospitals and clinics (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)
    • Organic farms and community gardens
    • Sensitive crops and orchards
    • Waterways, wetlands, and drainage ditches
    • Livestock and bee foraging areas

  • Notification of neighbors

    • Provide prior notice to properties adjoining the area to be sprayed.
    • Include:
      • The name of the chemical being used
      • The date and approximate time of spraying
      • Steps taken to reduce spray drift
      • A contact number for questions or concerns

  • Season and pest resistance

    • Make sure it is the appropriate season to spray.
    • Be aware that some pests in Michigan may be resistant to certain chemicals at specific times of year.

  • Weather conditions

    • Avoid spraying when:
      • It is too windy (common in spring and fall near Lake Michigan)
      • It is completely still (which can cause chemicals to hang in the air and move unpredictably when wind picks up)
      • Inversions or foggy conditions are present
    • Check local forecasts for Grand Rapids before spraying.

  • Droplet size and equipment

    • Use appropriate nozzles and pressure to produce larger droplets that are less likely to drift.
    • Ensure your equipment is:
      • In good working condition
      • Calibrated correctly
      • Suited to local field and weather conditions

  • Follow label directions

    • Always apply chemicals exactly as directed on the product label.
    • Respect buffer zones, re‑entry intervals, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Disposing of Chemical Containers in Grand Rapids

Improper storage or disposal of chemical containers can lead to environmental contamination in soil, air, and water.

Best Practices for Disposal

  • Follow the product label for rinsing and disposal instructions.
  • Triple‑rinse containers when required, and use rinse water in your next spray mix (if allowed).
  • Store unused chemicals in a secure, dry, locked area away from children and pets.

Local Disposal Options

In the Grand Rapids area:

  • Check with your local city or township

    • Ask about:
      • Household hazardous waste collection days
      • Drop‑off sites for chemicals and containers

  • Kent County Department of Public Works

    • Provides information on:
      • Hazardous waste disposal
      • Community collection events

  • Chemical suppliers and retailers

    • Many local farm supply stores and garden centers can advise on take‑back or recycling programs.

Reducing Spray Drift Risks in Grand Rapids, MI

To protect the health of Grand Rapids residents and the local environment:

  • Use non‑chemical or low‑toxicity options where possible.
  • Choose the least hazardous product that will do the job.
  • Spray only when conditions are suitable and drift risk is low.
  • Communicate with neighbors, especially near schools, parks, and community gardens.
  • Stay informed about Michigan regulations and best practices for pesticide use.

By taking these steps, farmers, landscapers, and homeowners in Grand Rapids can help reduce chemical spray drift and protect our community’s health, the Grand River, and the broader Great Lakes ecosystem.