Accidental spills and drift are the significant dangers encountered by the environment due to pesticides.

Accidental Spills
Granules have a measurable repose angle which is the angle that the granules naturally take along the sides of a pile of granules.  On the other hand, liquids flow to the lowest level.

Drift
As per the National Pesticide Applicator Training Manual:  Bulletin E-2195
Granules (G)
Advantages:  Drift Hazard is low, and particles settle quickly.
Disadvantages:  May be hazardous to non-target species, especially waterfowl and other birds that mistakenly feed on the grain – or seed – like granules”*

*Although some new dispersing technology reduces or eliminates this disadvantage (to learn more, see Granule Types section).