Issue 52

Summer

1999

Routing:

A Newsletter for the Insect Control & Pest Management Industry

Rachel Carson She focused attention on the effects of DDT on birds

B efore there was an environ­mental movement, there was

one brave woman and her very brave book.

Some people have strong beliefs and causes. Those beliefs are often challenged and the one that sounds the alarm is often persecuted. History washes away the ignorance and time honors those who are daring enough to step up and challenge the system and make it better for future generations. Forty years ago Rachel Carson sat down with strong passion and mixed knowledge and background to write the first of a series of magazine articles about birds, indiscriminate use of pesticides, and the environ­ment. The book Silent Spring is the "stake in the ground" where new environmentalism began. She inspired a generation of activists. Some of the things Rachel Carson said in her book have been proven incorrect. Much of what she said was true. The effect of her book was a movement in which people began to think and talk about the destruc­tion that man was causing with the unbridled use of synthetic chemi­cals. Her love for birds led her to the conclusions she shouts in her book.

literary magazine for children. A reader and loner and devotee of birds, and indeed all nature, the slim, shy girl of plain face and dark curly hair continued writing throughout adoles­cence, chose an English major at Pennsylvania College for Women, and continued to submit poetry to periodicals. Not until junior year, when a biology course re-awakened the "sense of wonder" with which she had always encountered the natural world, did she switch her major to zoology, not yet aware that her literary and scientific passions might be complementary.

Rachel Carson, environmentalist

She was always a writer and she always knew that. Ten-year-old Rachel Louise Carson, born in 1907 in the Allegheny Valley town of Springdale, Pennsylvania, was first published in the St. Nicholas

Graduating magna cum laude in 1929, Carson won her master's degree in zoology at Johns Hopkins, but increasing family responsibili­ties caused her to abandon her quest for a doctorate. In 1935 "Ray" Carson, as some friends knew her, took part-time work writing science radio scripts for the old Bureau of Fisheries, a job that led, in 1936, to a full-time appointment as a junior aquatic biologist. To supplement her small income, she contributed feature articles to the Baltimore Sun, most of them related to marine zoology.

-continued on page 2

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

~ EC02FUMET" Research

~ Methyl Bromide Alternatives

~ FQPA

~ Dave's Soapbox

~ EPA's Phosphine Review

~ Seminars & Workshops

~ Ozone Update

~ Phosphine monitoring

~ EP~ extends phosphine review

I

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 2

Rachel Carson (continued from page 1)

Her first book Under the Sea-Wind followed the young writer's first publication in a national magazine in 1941, Carson's favorite among her books. Much of Carson's literary work was serialized in the New Yorker. The entire manuscript of "A Profile of the Sea" was published as The Sea Around Us. It won the National Book Award and sold more than 200,000 copies in hard cover within the year.

The naturalist Louis Halle described Carson as "A shy, quiet, diffident, neat, proper lady without affection." She had a mischievous streak, a tart tongue and confidence in her own literary worth.

insecticides, the more appalled I became," Carson recalled. "I realized that here was the material for a book. What I discovered was that everything which meant most to me as a naturalist was being threat­ened, and that nothing I could do would be more important." With her fame and eloquence and reputation for precision, Carson could count on the support ofleading scientists and conservation organizations, and was well positioned to write her next book.

Silent Spring, serialized in the New Yorker in June 1962, gored corporate oxen all over the country. Carson was violently assailed by threats of lawsuits and suggestions that the meticulous scientist was an ''hysteri­cal woman" unqualified to write

"Nearly 40 years later, 'Silent Spring' is still regarded as the cornerstone of the

new environmentalism."

Success permitted Carson to retire from her government job in 1952 to write full time. She bought land and built a cottage on the Sheepscot River on the West Coast of Maine. Her new celebrity also gave her the opportunity to speak out on concerns about which she felt strongly. As early as 1945, Carson had become alarmed by government abuse of new chemical pesticides such as DDT, in particular the "predator" and "pest" control programs, which were broadcasting poisons with little regard for the welfare of other creatures. She tried to submit an article to Readers Digest about the effects of DDT but the Digest was not interested in this grim story. In the meantime, other chlorinated hydrocarbons like dieldrin, par­athion, heptachlor, methoxychlor, malathion and other powerful insecticides were being promoted by the Department of Agriculture for public use and commercial manufac­ture.

"The more I learned about the use of

such a book. A huge counterattack was organized and led by Monsanto, Velsicol, American Cyanamid and indeed, the whole chemical indus­try-duly supported by the Agricul­ture Department. Time magazine reported: "oversimplifications and downright errors ... Many of the scary generalizations- and there are lots of them-are patently unsound."

This controversy only increased public awareness. Silent Spring became a runaway best seller, with international reverberations.

Carson was not a born crusader but an intelligent and dedicated woman who rose heroically to the occasion. She was rightly confident about her facts as well as her ability to present them. Secure in the approval of her peers, she remained remarkably serene in the face of her accusers. Perhaps the imminence of her own mortality had helped her find this precious balance and perspective. Two years after Silent Spring

shocked the world Raquel Carson died of cancer at the age of 56.

In a letter to a friend Carson wrote "I have felt bound by a solemn obligation to do what I could-if I didn't at least try I could never be happy again in nature. But now I can believe that I have at least helped a little. It would be unrealis­tic to believe one book could bring a complete change."

By Peter Matthisessen TIME, March 29, 1999

QUOTABLE QUO

"Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself."

Rachel Carson, m a CBS-te1eifiSwn interview in 1963

"And to him who does his work with his whole heart and soul and life, I would say, persevere, even if the world call it doing evil, as it is most likely they will."

Henry David Thoreau, Walden

''Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"We should be happy it was Carson who awakened us from our misdirected complacency."

John V. Osmun

"We should erect statues of Rachel Carson in the front ofour entomology buildings because of the impact she had on the funding ofresearch."

John V. Osmun

... for what it's worth

T he North American milling and food processing industries are

slow in replacing methyl bromide. Milling is a commodity driven business. Cost saving and efficient production schedules are imperative to be profitable in today's mega­merger climate. But the number one key to replacing methyl bromide is to minimize the shutdown time of the mill or processing facility.

This article will explore some of the alternatives being developed for this serious ozone depleting substance.

Heat treatments 120-130°F (45-600C) for 24 hours are becoming popular in North America. Many of the established companies like General Mills, Lauhoff, Quaker Oats, Ralston Purina, Pillsbury, and about 10% of the flour mills are currently utilizing heat treatments to reduce the insect problems in their buildings. Commercial compa­nies are beginning to design heating units for large heat treatments. The cost of energy is less expensive in North America than most of Europe.

Another alternative to methyl bromide in flour mills and food processing plants is a method of low concentration of phosphine in combination with heat and carbon dioxide.

This patented technique has re­placed over 100 tons of methyl bromide in 45 successful applica­tions in North America. The combi­nation of 3-5% carbon dioxide, low levels of phosphine, and 30-35°C in 24-36 hours can replace methyl bromide in many situations.

The cost of this method is about 25-50% more expensive than present day methyl bromide but can compete with methyl bromide with a 24-36 hour completion time. For more information on this method contact

A calendar-scheduled fumigation can overcome poor sanitation and important preventive measures. The real replacement for methyl bromide is not another fumigant; it is "not needing" to fumigate. This will eventually replace this ozone depleting substance that many have become dependent upon.

It should be the goal of every flour miller and food processor through­out the world to reduce dependence on methyl bromide by eliminating one or more methyl bromide fumiga­tions this year. If a flour miller or food processor is doing two fumiga­tions per year now, he should do one or zero fumigations next year and only when absolutely necessary in future years. By gradually phasing out methyl bromide now, the goal of complete phase out can be achieved by January 1, 2005.

The cost of methyl bromide has increased by 2 times in recent years in North America. Canada has a quota system that reduced the amount of methyl bromide each registered company could receive in 1998 by 25%. In America the produc­tion of methyl bromide will be reduced by 25% in 1999 and the manufacturers will determine who will receive shipments.

The future of food processing pest management lies with doing a better job at prevention, monitoring, and alternative control methods. By . doing a better job of hygiene and sanitation along with improved construction, infestation can be minimized. Timely inspections can detect a problem before an insect or rodent outbreak occurs. "Without thorough inspections, we substitute pesticides for insight." Pheromone traps are becoming a regular part of a pest management strategy in North America. New improved traps for flour beetles and food moths are regularly being utilized.

The future of phosphine in America is changing. The US Environmental Protection Agency on December 23, 1998 announced changes to phos­phine labels that would include 15 proposed changes. Some are unreal-

istic and will most likely not become reality. Some will improve the safety of how phosphine should be used. These proposals are now being reviewed again by the EPA and comments will be forthcoming in the last quarter of this 1999. The implementation ofthese changes will not take effect until the year 2000-2001. For more on these Risk Mitigation Measures contact www.insectslimited.com.

Both the US EPA and the Canadian PRMA are extremely slow in approv­ing new fumigants and pesticides that could be used as methyl bro­mide alternatives on stored prod­ucts. Recently the EPA is in the process of approving the use of EC02FUME on non-food product fumigations. EC0

2FUME is a

gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and phosphine in a cylinder. BOC Gases first developed this in Austra­lia. This product is expected to get full registration for food products by 2000-2001.

Methyl bromide is an ozone deplet­ing substance (ODS) that could have an impact on the health of our children and future generations on this planet. The phase-out of methyl bromide by the milling and food processing industries will be difficult without the positive leader­ship of the various international associations.

An international treaty called The Montreal Protocol has identified methyl bromide as a serious ozone depleting substance. This treaty has a fund of $900 million to help countries phase out of this ODS. It is the responsibility of each of us to work to develop techniques and methods to replace methyl bromide in a timely matter.

&.k.kw.U-David K Mueller is the author of the new book Stored Product Protec­tion ... A Period of Transition, President of Insects Limited, Inc., a Montreal Protocol Expert, a UNIDO Fumigation Expert, 1995 and 1997 US EPA Stratospheric Ozone Protec­tion Award Winner.

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 4

Seminar and Workshop

A large crowd attended this year's Fumigants & Pheromones Conference and Workshop held April19-22 in Indianapolis at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center. This is the 13th conference sponsored by Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. and Insects Limited, Inc. Over 5000 people from over 35 countries have attended this continued education series since 1982.

Speakers for the two-day techni­cal conference included: Ken

Sheppard, Quaker Oats Co.; Bobby Corrigan, RMC Consulting; David Mueller, Insects Limited, Inc.; John Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc.; Steven Pratt, CSIRO Australia; Mike Mullens, USDA; Alain Van Ryckeghem, Insects Limited, Inc.; Liv Clarke, Food Safety Management Canada; Larry Pierce, Food Protection Services; Curt Hale, General Mills; Alan Dowdy, USDA

A new format was offered for a hands-on fumigation workshop. Classroom work included stored product insect identification with microscopes and specially prepared specimens of the most popular food insects, case studies of actual ware­houses and retail stores were as­signed to small groups to inspect, make recommendations and come back and implement their recommen­dations using the Three Circle approach of Prevention, Monitor­ing, and Control. This was a terrific learning experience. One session was devoted to the proper placement of pheromone traps and recording their results in special spacial mapping record keeping. John Mueller and his fumigation crew took the workshop outdoors to a nearby grain elevator and demon­strated new techniques in fumigation

including EC02FUME, Horn Phos­

phine Generator, recirculation of phosphine using the J-System, pressure testing, bin entry safety, a carbon dioxide fumigation, and air sampling were demonstrated.

Pat Kelley of FSS took over the Safe­ty Workshop at which he demon­strated gas detection with new elec­tronic monitoring equipment, air sampling, respiratory equipment and an excellent presentation on corro­sion management with phosphine. This topic was well received by the attendees.

Socially this conference had much to offer. A dinner and live band offered

the group a chance to visit out of the classroom and exchange common interests. A tour through the new office, laboratory, classrooms, fumi­gation chamber, and warehouse offered the attendees a good look at the new Westfield facilities. The NBA basketball game was enjoyable with an overtime victory by the home team.

The next Fumigants & Pheromone Conference and Workshop will be held in Lisbon, Portugal in the fall of2000.

Watch our website-www.insects limlted.com for more regional and special training programs.

Forty-one people attended the two-day hands-on workshop at the new training facilities in Westfield (10 miles north of Indianapolis).

Page 5 Fumigants & Pheromones

Ken Sheppard of The Quaker Oats Company described this scenario in his keynote speech Life After Methyl Bromide. "It's July 21, 2005 and your food plant needs a fumigation. Methyl bromide is no longer available. What do you do?" The details and background seemed real and the prophecy seemed dim. Sheppard stated: "It is going to take every­thing from computers, to flashlights, to elbow grease to replace methyl bromide."

ouotable ouotes from this opening talk: • "Why did we depend on methyl bromide in the first place?"

• "Learn from the past-don't rewrite the history." • "Go to the place where the people don't go to find the problems." • "The removal of methyl bromide is like taking a pacifier away from a baby."

• "Availability and pricing will help phase out methyl bromide." • "We need to start training sanitation awareness." • "If you remove food, water, or shelter, you control the pests." • "Learn how to use a flashlight better." • "We have to evolve or go extinct." • "Re-read Chapter 18 in Truman's Scientific Guide to Pest Control." • "We need to buy some more brooms, vacuums, and, by the way, we need a

few more new people."

Bobby Corrigan, Ph.D. Food Plant lnspections ••• What I look For and Managing Birds and Rodents. Here are some replays from his talks:

• "The success of the treatment depends on the detail of your inspection." by Cornwell.

• "50% of a building is not accessible."

• "Without thorough inspections we substitute pesticides for insight." • "Go out and buy yourself a 4" spatula. It is the tool I use the most on an

inspection." • "Crytobiotic insects" • "80-20 Rule-80% of the insects come from 20% of the places."

• "Take me to the toughest areas to clean first." • "Many insect pests are tropical by nature. You need to learn to head for the

tropics in your inspections."

• "Let your eyes be captured by lines." • "Pallets are like the Trojan Horse when they bring problems into your

facilities."

• "That which can be foreseen, can be prevented," Charles Mayo. • "Urine is the #1 social communication tool for mice."

Curt Hale, Food Allergens: • "The food of one may be the poison for others." • '~ny food can cause an allergic reaction."

Mdm. Tuyet of the Vietnam Fumigation Company studied insect identification at the workshop.

• "Sanitarians are the Proctologist of the food industry- it is a dirty job but when they need you, they really need you."

• "Working in the food industry and not being aware of food allergies is like working in the nuclear industry and not being aware of radioactivity."

Mike Mullens, Ph.D., Insect Resistant Packaging: • "One bushel of corn can make 63 boxes of corn flakes at a cost of $210." • "Insects can enter a hole the size of. 0072 inches (0. 018 em) in diameter." • " Three 1st ins tar flour beetle larvae can fit inside of a period at the end of a sentence." • "For an insect a period in a sentence is as big as a hot tub is for a human."

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 6

Ozone Update I n Geneva, in June the working

group to the Montreal Protocol on ozone depletion prepared for the lOth Meeting of the Parties (162 countries) in Beijing in November 1999. Ozone (0

3) filters harmful

ultraviolet light as it enters the Earth's outer atmosphere. Too much ultraviolet light can cause human health problems with skin cancer, cataracts, and problems with the immune system as well as gradual destruction of plants.

Topics Discussed at Geneva Meeting:

• Science on methyl bromide The newest scientific calculations show methyl bromide to be rated 0.3-0.5 on the ozone depletion scale with CFC-11 being a 1.0. The best estimate for methyl bromide is .4. Anything above a 0.2 is considered a serious ozone depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol. Considering methyl bromide has been estimated to be 50 times more aggressive at depleting ozone in the stratosphere than CFC-11, the difference between 0.4 or the previous 0.6 estimates are slight. The scientists are having a difficult time calculating the amount of methyl bromide absorbed by the oceans or produced by the oceans. Earth is a big factory for many chemical substances. Some parts of the oceans have a net production of MB and some areas of the oceans are a sink for MB. The science behind these estimations will continue for some time to come. In the meantime manufacturers of methyl bromide are vocalizing the reduction in methyl bromide levels as a platform for countering the need to phaseout methyl bromide.

• Volcano's and Ozone The eruption of a volcano like the one in the Philippines can send particles into the troposphere (15-60 km above the earth) that makes it hard to estimate how the natural ozone lNb filters are performing.

Time has cleared the latest eruption's particles and a clearer picture is available for the atmo­spheric scientists. They show that the depletion of the ozone in the troposphere has slowed in the mid­latitudes. It continues to increase in Antarctica but the earlier estimation of the year 2050 before a tu rn­around would take place h as been estimated at 10-20 years (2010-2020) ifwe stay the course that we are on now.

A recent medical report from Alberta, Canada shows that the incidents of skin cancer in this Province doubled in the past decade. Over 400 additional cases of skin cancer have medical researchers looking for answers to why this is occurring. ·

A new message was told from the scientists present that the ozone layer is very vulnerable right now to another volcanic eruption and one or more eruptions at the same time would accelerate the loss of ozone.

• Exemptions The most time was spent on discuss­ing the exemptions to the Montr.eal Protocol for the use of methyl bromide. The Montreal Protocol acknowledges that some uses of methyl bromide are essential to prevent sudden loss of trade (pre­shipment) and the invasion of unwanted pests in a country (e.g. Asian long-horned beetle). The European Union (EU) expressed a strong motion to place a cap on the amount of methyl bromide that should be allowed for these exemp­tions. Their proposal would repre­sent an average of the 1996-1998 as the cap. This proposal was chal­lenged by the Canadian (Sheila Jones) and U.S. (Paul Horowitz) contingency because of the recent

needs to eliminate a new source of quarantine since 1996-1998 with the Asian long-horned beetle- a perfect example. This will be ftbther discussed in Beijing at the nst Meeting of the Parties.

The United States offered its position by supporting a ma~ry reporting system for all~ and pre-shipment (QPSJUS.M ift methyl bromide. They~ support a cap for QPS, 9jlf:~lica­tions of MB that are K clAys or less before loading on a vessel would qualify as pre-shipment. An "official" government agency ruling is neces­sary before a product can be fumi­gated under the QPS exemption. No commercial company could make that judgement or recommendation.

• cost The 1999 25% phase-out of methyl bromide in developed countries (e.g. US, Japan, EU, Australia, and Canada) has shown that the manu­facturers of methyl bromide raised the price of methyl bromide for structure/ commodity fumigations by 70-250% while the soil fumigation costs for methyl bromide have increased an estimated 0-50%. These cost adjustments will make some of the alternatives more affordable.

Editor's note: In a published article in the Indianapolis Star (June 16, 1999), The largest manufacturer of methyl bromide in North America, Great Lakes Chemical Corp., has confessed to the Federal Justice Department and the European Commission to unfair business practices (price fixing). The company's chief executive officer, Mark Buriss, says he discov­ered "certain practices that raised questions under the (U.S.) antitrust laws" shortly after taking the top job. The U.S. Justice department declined to say if any other companies or individuals are part of the investiga­tion. Other companies that make bromine include Albemarle Corp. of Richmond, Va.: Israel's Dead Sea Bromine and Tosch Corp. of Japan.

Page 7 Fumigants & Pheromones

EPA Extends Phosphine RevieVII

T he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on

May 14, 1999 that it was extending its schedule for completing the reregistration review for aluminum and magnesium phosphide to deal

FQPA

with a flood of public comments. A final ruling may not be published until early next year, the agency said.

The agency issued the following timetable for the review:

Consider comments received so far and attend demonstration fumiga­tions in May through July 1999.

• Issue a revised set of proposed risk mitigation measures in August 1999.

• Hold stakeholder meetings in several U.S. cities in October and

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, now sets tougher standards for pesticide use on food. EPA will consider the public's overall exposure to pesticides (through food, water, and in home environments) when making decisions to set standards for pesticide use on food.

Pesticides are used to protect food from pests, such as insects, rodents, weeds, and bacteria. While pesticides have important uses, studies show that some pesticides cause health problems at certain levels of exposure. The EPA sets pesticide tolerance levels if pesticides are applied to food. The tolerance levels for phosphine (PH

3) is 0.01 for processed food and 0.1 for raw agricultural

commodities.

One ofthe main reasons EPA introduced FQPAwas to protect infants and children. Infants and children may be more vulnerable to pesticide exposure.

• Since their internal organs are still developing and maturing, infants and children may be more vulnerable to health risks posed by pesticides.

• In relation to their body weight, infants and children eat and drink more than adults, which may increase their exposure to pesticides in food and water.

• Certain behaviors-such as playing on floors or lawns or putting objects in their mouth-increase a child's exposure to pesticides used in homes and yards.

By 2006, EPA must review all old pesticides to make sure that their use on food meets the new, tougher safety standard. At the same time, the federal government is encouraging the innovation of safer pesticides that are less likely to cause health problems.

How can you find more information? Visit www.epa.gov/pesticides/food

Source: Pesticides and Food, EPA, OPP (EPA-735-F-98-001)

November 1999.

• Issue final risk mitigation mea­sures in late 1999 or early 2000.

The EPA, last December 23, pro­posed 15 risk mitigation measures, which have drawn a strong outcry from the grain, feed, and milling industries. Among the most contro­versial proposed measures:

• Prohibit the use of phosphine-type fumigants within 500 feet of a residence.

• Require 24-hour notification of any occupied residences or places of business within 750 feet of a fumigated structure and provide continuous monitoring for phos­phine within that buffer zone.

• Reduce the maximum permissible level of exposure from the present 0.3 ppm to 0.03 ppm, a tenfold decrease.

Many in the affected industries have commented that if these measures were approved, it would effectively prohibit the use of phosphine fumigants . An alternative, methyl bromide, is scheduled to be removed from the market in 2005 under the Montreal Protocol International Treaty.

In its announcement, EPA noted that it had received more than 600 comments on the Dec. 23 proposal. EPA is still accepting comments on this proposal.

The agency acknowledged that many of the comments questioned th e feasibility of the proposed r isk mitigation measures and that few, if any, viable alternatives exist for controlling pests in stored products. Source: Grainnet//www.grainnet.com

For more information , visit­www.insectslimited.com

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 8

R E 5 E A R C H

EC02FUME TM Toronto Ship Trials Sponsored by Canada Ag and Agri-Food, Cytec Industries, Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. and Maheu-Maheu

Purpose: Methyl bromide fumigant is pres­ently the only pesticide recom­mended for the disinfestion of empty ship holds in Canada. Between 6-30 empty commodity ships are fumi­gated in Canada each year. Trials to determine the alternatives to methyl bromide in ship holds were planned using two formulations of phosphine and one method of capturing and recovering methyl bromide from a ship hold. During these trials, separate studies on phosphine corrosion and boundary line air sampling were conducted.

Introduction EC0

2FUME is a gaseous phosphine

formulation that comes in a cylinder rather than a pellet, tablet or granular form. This gaseous mixture contains 2% phosphine by weight (2.6% by vol.). There is one pound of phosphine per steel cylinder. Each cylinder ofEC0

2FUME will treat

21,600 cu. ft./ (650 cu. m). at 500 ppm. The advantages ofEC0

2FUME

are: ease of application, speed of application, improved worker safety, no disposal of residual undecom­posed fumigant, non-ozone depletor, and ability to redose accurately. The disadvantage ofEC0

2FUME is the

time it takes to kill all stages of insect life may be greater than methyl bromide. Also phosphine can cause corrosion on copper and brass.

Sealing and pressure testing ship holds prior to fumigation.

Sealing A minimum amount of sealing is necessary for a ship hold. The hatch covers are secured and taped with 2-inch wide metal (furnace) tape. The four drain holes in the bottom of the hold (24" x 18") are covered with 6 mil polyethylene, glued, and taped. The manhole (31") is sealed with 4-mil polyethylene. For this test, adjacent drain holes were also covered and sealed. All procedures followed confined space and climb­ing protection practices.

Paul Fields (r), GeoffCuttin (l) extract 40,000 insect bioassays from the shiphold.

Pressure Testing Pressure tests were performed on each hold. A high-pressure (1/2 hp) blower was used to form a positive pressure in the hold of 1.5 inches of pressure. This was recorded on a Magnehelic pressure gauge. The half-life of the pressure degradation was timed and recorded (1.5 to .75 inches). The half-life of the pressure in hold #4 (EC0

2FUME) was 13

minutes and 30 seconds. This is considered a tight and secure enclosure by fumigation standards. Australian pressure testing stan­dards are 4-5 minutes for a half-life.

Insect Bio-Assays Mixed stages of various stored product insects were placed in each hold and in a control hold. Addi­tional insect bioassays were placed in hold #4 to be pulled from the fumigated hold at different times than the standard test on all three holds. Five insect bioassays contain­ing 10 adult and mixed stages of Red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) were pulled after 12 hours under fumigation. No adults or larvae were mobile from the 12-hour exposure at 500 ppm. The immature insects were placed in an

Page 9 Fumigants & Pheromones

R E S E A R C H

insect growth chamber at 28°C, 14/7 photo period, and 58% relative humidity.

Corrosion Test A Zenith computer (512K) and monitor were placed in the fumi­gated hold to check the period of time it would take to cause the computer to cease functioning because of phosphine corrosion. Every two hours a set function in word processing on an external keyboard checked the computer. A fatal error appeared on this monitor after 25.5 hours at 500 ppm. The computer has been sent to Dr. Bob Brigham, a phosphine corrosion expert, at Can-Met in Ottawa for further evaluation.

Copper strips were carefully pre­pared and placed in the hold. Samples were removed periodically for evaluation of weight gain and weight loss by Dr. Brigham.

Application A rate of 500 ppm of EC0

2FUME

was determined for hold #4 on the bulk carrier Canadian Trader. The hold was estimated to be 219,000 cu. ft./ 6,400 cu. m . The EC02FUME was manifolded with stainless steel fittings. Since these fittings are under high pressure (ca. 800 PSI), care was taken to pressure test each fitting with a soap bubble solution and nitrogen pressure to check for leaks. At 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, 1999 the first four EC0

2FUME

cylinders were released in about 15 minutes. Individual cylinders of EC02FUME were dispensed until the concentration of phosphine reached 500 ppm. The total time to dispense the nine cylinders was about 2 hours. This slow release was needed so as not to fill up the hold with too much pressure at one time. Each cylinder takes approximately four minutes to dispense.

Rigid copper tubing was connected to the cylinder nozzles and placed approximately 40 feet away into the

manhole cover. No freezing oflines or interruption of phosphine dis­pensing due to line freezing oc­curred.

ECO ,FUME, cylinderized phosphine and carbon dioxide, released through copper tubing into shipholds.

Environmental Readings Fumigant readings were taken with an ATI PortaSens every 2 hours after EC0

2FUME was discharged

for the first 24 hours and every 4 hours thereafter. Polyethylene sampling lines (5/16") were placed at the top of the hold (10'), middle (20'), and the bottom (40'). Readings included relative humidity, carbon dioxide, and phosphine. Tempera­ture readings were taken visually through the plastic cover on the manhole and with data loggers.

Boundary Line Air Sampling To insure safety of fumigants from non-applicators working next door to the vessel, air sampling was con­ducted every six hours near the open doors of the recycling warehouse. This was located 35 feet from the vessel and approximately 70 feet from the nearest ship hold opening. Sampling was performed with the Draeger PAC Ill. The sensitivity of this new phosphine-sampling device was 0.01 ppm.

The results of the boundary line air sampling showed no detectable levels of phosphine fumigant at any time during the three-day study and no detectable levels of phosphine during the 4 hours of aeration time.

Special Comments A rare condition was experienced during these trials . The cooling of the ship hold each evening at sunset caused a negative pressure in each hold. The Magnehelic gauge at one point recorded the negative pressure to be 2.5 inches of water. This is a tremendous amount of pressure on the seals. The opposite effect oc­curred when the sun would begin heating the vessel in the morning. The fumigant and gases in the hold would expand and cause a positive pressure to be created. Gas readings were difficult to record during the evening hours because of the nega­tive pressure being exerted on the sampling lines.

This experiment showed the ease of application and high safety level of this new fumigant . EC0

2FUME per­

formed well in this ship hold trial. The various visiting fumigators and government agencies could view this new fumigant and discuss other po­tential applications. EC0

2FUME is

not registered in Canada at this time and registration with the US EPA is pending.

Final results of the entire ship hold research test will be forthcoming and published by Dr. Paul Fields of Winnipeg. Some initial observations from this trial showed that 100% of all mobile stages of the five species of test stored product insects were dead. The computer placed in the 500 ppm hold crashed its hard drive after 25.5 hours and pressure change in the sealed holds during the cool nights caused difficul­ties in taking accurate gas sampling. Over a 72-hour period, the ECO,FUME hold maintained a time weighted average of490.3 ppm ofphosphine. Exact dosing and redosing in a phos­phine fumigation is possible with ECO ,FUME cylinderized fumigant.

It took 4 minutes to empty a cylinder of ECO ,FUME. The final results of this research project held in Canada will be presented at the Methyl Bromide Alter­natives conference in San Diego in Nov­ember and published by the Canadian government for distribution after Setember. Visit www.insectslimited.com often for such new publications and research information.

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 10

Food Safety Specialists What's in a Name?

W e are undergoing a name change, FOOD

SAFETY SPECIALISTS, for a new division of our company to better identify the services we provide our customers. Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. has provided commercial pest control services and food safety related services for many food processors for over a decade. We have evolved with the food industry as Food Quality Systems, the Food Quality

Traps Beetles and Moths!

Protection Act, and Food Safety Programs have gained momentum and prominence. Our name Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. (FSS) does not give an accurate picture of our expanded capabilities.

Our commercial pest control service division will take the name Food Safety Specialists while still doing business as Fumiga­tion Service & Supply, Inc.

Food Safety Specialists provides: • Food processing pest control services • Food safety audits and inspections • Food quality systems review • Microbial analysis-program development,

implementation, and parallel analysis • Targeted training • Hygienic services • Food safety assistance

programs for in-house pest control programs.

Today's food industry demands more from its pest control providers than most pest control companies can offer. Many food processors still view their pest control providers as a routine rodent control service. More innovative food processors realize that effective pest control providers can transcend routine pest control, by focusing on lowering customer com­plaints, providing thorough insight into the actual pest status of the facility, recognize non-pest food safety issues, while providing comprehensive documentation for proper program organization.

Food Safety Specialists provides more than just high level ofpest control-we focus on food safety.

Page 11 Fumigants & Pheromones

Dave, his family, and friends enjoyed a full program of activities planned at the Purdue West Lafayette Campus in April.

Mueller Receives Alumni Award David K. Mueller, President of FSS and Insects Limited, Inc, was selected by Purdue University as a recipient of the1999 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to his profession and society.

Fumigation Recertification School For Grain, Feed and Food Processors

Friday, July 23, 1999 Kentucky Dam Village Convention Center

Gilbertsville, KY

Sponsored by Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. in cooperation with

Kentucky Feed & Grain Association and Kentucky State University

TOPICS INCLUDE: New Proposed EPA regulations for Phosphine Fumigants; David Mueller Kentucky State University Stored Grain Research; John Sedlacek, Ph.D.

Effective Ways to Fumigate Grain Bins; Pat Kelley Food Plant Pest Management; Ricky Vincent

Respiratory Equipment and Air Monitoring; Pat Kelley Rodent and Bird Control; Ricky Vincent

Continued education credits have been approved in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Cost: $125 per person

Register by calling: 1-800-992-1991 (Barb) or online at www.insectslimited.com

Now available!

Engineering for FOOD SAFETY and SANITATION 2nd ed.

by Thomas J. Imholte

A Guide to the Sanitation Design of Food Plants and Food Plant Equipment

Cost: $99.00 pp 392.

"Sanitation Through Design" is the bible for the new construction and re-construction of food plants that want to eliminate infestations by engineering them out.

If all contractors and architects that build food plants could read this book prior to constructions, many flaws would be eliminated and the cost savings would be untold. The first edition sold over 6000 copies. This book has been out of print for over 2 years . The 2nd edition has been edited by Tom's daughter Tami with the help of many in the food industry since Tom's death. An additional 99 pages have been added to the original text.

Order today!

Visit the BookStore at: www.insectwslimited.com

Fumigants & Pheromones Page 12

Freeze 'em or Fry 'em HEAT AND COLD TREATMENT WORKSHOP

November 3-4, 1999 • Indianapolis, Indiana

Sponsored by: Insects Limited, Inc.

Invited Speakers: Jerry Heaps, Pillsbury Kim Kemp, Ralston Purina Larry Dean, Ralston Purina Juergen Boye, S&A Germany Liv Clarke, Food Safety Management Alan Dowdy, USDA I ARS Bobbie Gannon, Quaker Oats Alain Van Ryckeghem, Insects Limited, Inc. Paul Fields, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

A hands-on workshop to a nearby food plant is scheduled to view a heat treatment in progress.

Many people are now looking for alternatives to methyl bromide and other pesticide treatments. Heat and cold treatments have tremendous potential for the food processing and milling industries. There are many stumbling blocks along the way. This workshop will offer discussion , hands-on experiences and insight into t emperature treatments from experts with many years of experience.

Topics include: • How to spot heat areas while

production continues • Preparation of a building for heat

treatments • Equipment needed for a heat

treatment • New portable commercial heaters • Cold temperature review and

results • Biological activity of insects

treated with heat and cold temperature

• Panel discussion from the experts • The disadvantages of heat and

cold treatments • Using diatomaceous earth and

heat on flour mills • Heat, CO"' and Phosphine

treatments • The cost of heat and cold

treatments • Visit a food plant that has been

using heat treatments for over 20 years.

More details about this methyl bromide alternative workshop can be found at www.insectslimited.com or by calling 1-317-896-9300 or by e-mail at insectsltd@aol.com

Fumigants & Pheromones is published by Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. and Insects Limited, Inc. We hope that the information that you receive from this newsletter will help you in your business, and you, in turn, will support our business efforts. If you have an associate who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, please contact the address below. We would welcome any comments or suggestions for topics. Address correspondence to: David K Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc., 16950 Westfield Park Rd., Westfield, IN 46074 USA.

~~~~~· ~~~~~ Insects Limited

Copyright 1999 Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission of the editor.

Cost: $795. Seating is limited to 40.

Fumigation Service & Supply, Inc. 16950 Westfield Park Road Westfield, IN 46074-9374 USA (1) 317-896-9300 voice (1) 800-992-1991 toll free (1) 317-867-5757 fax e-mail: insectsltd@aol.com web site: http://www.insectslimited.com

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