Predicted gas loss of sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide during structural fumigation

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Cryer
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Sulfuryl Fluoride ◽  
Structural Fumigation ◽  
Gas Loss

scholarly journals Health effects associated with sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide exposure among structural fumigation workers.

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (12) ◽  
pp. 1774-1780 ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Calvert ◽  
C A Mueller ◽  
J M Fajen ◽  
D W Chrislip ◽  
J Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Sulfuryl Fluoride ◽  
Structural Fumigation

scholarly journals Sulfuryl Fluoride Poisonings in Structural Fumigation, a Highly Regulated Industry—Potential Causes and Solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 2026
Author(s):  
Tracy Barreau ◽  
Sumi Hoshiko ◽  
Rick Kreutzer ◽  
Svetlana Smorodinsky ◽  
John Talarico
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Pulmonary Edema ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Sulfuryl Fluoride ◽  
Fluoride Exposure ◽  
Warm Weather ◽  
Dry Wood ◽  
Structural Fumigation

Structural fumigations using sulfuryl fluoride for the extermination of dry-wood termites are conducted by the thousands in California and other warm-weather states. Sulfuryl fluoride is an odorless gas that targets the nervous system and can cause respiratory irritation, pulmonary edema, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and death. Structural voids or compartments such as wall sockets, crawl spaces, cabinets, or cells in air mattresses may create ongoing exposure after a structure has been certified as safe. The authors describe a case of potential sulfuryl fluoride exposure to a family following home fumigation. Despite regulation, sulfuryl fluoride poisonings from structural fumigations continue to occur. This article examines the physical characteristics of sulfuryl fluoride and the regulatory oversight of its application, in an effort to understand how and why these poisonings happen. Increasing aeration times of fumigated structures, overseeing monitoring efficacy, and using technology to capture clearance data could reduce sulfuryl fluoride exposure and illness.

Survival of the Oak Wilt Fungus in Logs Fumigated with Sulfuryl Fluoride and Methyl Bromide

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Anna Yang ◽  
Kendhl Seabright ◽  
Jennifer Juzwik ◽  
Scott W. Myers ◽  
Adam Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Slow Variable ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Treatment Schedule ◽  
Level Control ◽  
Oak Wilt ◽  
Sulfuryl Fluoride ◽  
Concentration Time ◽  
Pathogen Colonization ◽  
And Diffusion

Abstract Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation of oak (Quercus sp.) logs destined for export is required to mitigate risks associated with movement of the oak wilt fungus, Bretziella fagacearum. Alternative fumigants with efficacy against B. fagacearum are needed because of MB's ozone-depleting properties. Fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is considered a promising substitute. Logs (1.8 m long) were obtained from Quercus trees (18.3 to 29.2 cm diameter at breast height) that were naturally infested (NI) or artificially inoculated (AI) with B. fagacearum to compare pathogen colonization and survival following fumigation with SF and MB. The logs were fumigated with SF for 72 hours with 240, 280, and 320 g/m3 or 96 hours with 128 and 240 g/m3. MB fumigations were conducted using the current treatment schedule for oak logs destined for export (240 g/m3 for 72 h). Frequencies of successful pathogen isolation before treatment were higher for AI logs than for NI logs based on isolation rates from sapwood chips. Treatments greatly reduced frequencies of viable pathogen presence, but no treatment was successful in eradicating the pathogen. Experiments were conducted on blocks (10.2 by 10.2 by 11.4 cm3) obtained from Quercus trees to investigate simulated penetration and diffusion of SF and MB into oak logs. Slow, variable fumigant diffusion never reached concentration–time products lethal to B. fagacearum. Based on these results, reliance on SF alone as a quarantine measure may require higher concentration × time products to achieve quarantine level control of the oak wilt fungus in logs.

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