From Air to Earth: Quantifying Pesticide Aerosol Dispersion Using UAV-Assisted Atmospheric Monitoring and Life Cycle Analysis

Agricultural aerosols generated during pesticide application represent a significant yet often under-monitored source of local and regional air pollution. This study employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as airborne monitoring platforms to quantify aerosol dispersion dynamics during crop spraying and to evaluate the corresponding environmental and health impacts through a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework. The study integrates real-time UAV-assisted atmospheric monitoring with life cycle impact assessment to establish a direct connection between field-scale aerosol dispersion dynamics and downstream environmental and human health impacts, thereby providing an integrated framework for environmental performance evaluation. UAVs equipped with particulate sensors and optical modules were deployed to measure drift trajectories, deposition rates, and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations under variable meteorological conditions. Field experiments conducted in mango and sugarcane orchards in semi-arid India revealed that optimized UAV spraying, characterized by controlled droplet size, flight altitude, and real-time wind adaptation, thus, can reduce off-target aerosol emissions by 45-60% compared with conventional ground-based methods. LCA modelling indicated notable reductions in air pollutant equivalents and human toxicity potential (HTP). The results underscore the critical role of UAV-assisted atmospheric monitoring in improving both environmental performance and occupational safety in agriculture. The paper further demonstrates how UAV-derived dispersion data can directly inform national emission inventories and ambient air-quality standards, addressing a critical regulatory gap. By linking atmospheric measurements with sustainability assessment and governance mechanisms, this study establishes a cross-disciplinary framework for evidence-based pollution control and health risk mitigation in the agricultural sector. Beyond technical performance, this research underscores the importance of democratizing access to environmental monitoring technologies across the Global South. Such an approach directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3, 12, and 13 by promoting sustainable food production, improved public health, responsible resource use, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.