pihustamine

Pihustamine, Estonian for “spraying,” is the process of dispersing liquids, suspensions, or fine droplets as an aerosol or spray. The aim is to deliver a substance to a target area—such as a plant leaf, a container surface, or the respiratory tract—in a controlled manner. It uses devices that propel liquid into small droplets, including spray bottles, atomizers, nebulizers, and industrial sprayers. Droplet size, pressure, and nozzle design influence coverage, penetration, and drift.

In medicine, inhalation therapy uses aerosols to deliver drugs to the lungs or airways. Nebulizers generate a mist that patients inhale; metered-dose inhalers release a specific amount with each actuation; dry powder inhalers rely on patient inhalation to disperse the powder. Benefits include rapid onset and local action in the airways, while risks include throat irritation and exposure to non-target tissues.

In agriculture and horticulture, spraying applies pesticides, fungicides, or nutrients to crops or plants. Equipment ranges from handheld sprayers to tractor-mounted rigs. Important considerations include droplet size to balance coverage and drift, weather conditions to minimize evaporation or off-target deposition, and compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Safety and environmental concerns also apply in domestic and industrial uses, including potential inhalation exposure, skin or eye irritation, and contamination of air or water when not properly contained. Pihustamine techniques are governed by product-specific instructions and regulatory standards to ensure effectiveness and minimize harm.

See also: aerosol science, nebulization, spraying equipment, inhalation therapy, foliar spray.