What risk is particularly associated with dust pesticides during application?

The risk particularly associated with dust pesticides during application is the potential for drift into unintended areas. Dust particles can remain airborne for longer periods and can easily be carried by wind, which increases the likelihood of pesticides affecting non-target areas, including residential properties, waterways, and beneficial insect habitats. This unintentional exposure can lead to environmental contamination and harm to non-target species, making drift a significant concern when using dust formulations in agricultural or pest control settings.

The other options, while relevant to concerns about pesticide application, do not capture the primary risk of dust formulations. Slower absorption into the target organism is generally not a characteristic of dust because dust can adhere easily to surfaces, while high soil residue is more associated with granular or liquid formulations. Immediate evaporation is also less of an issue with dust since these formulations are designed to remain in place rather than being immediately volatile.