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Foliar Fatty Acids and Sterols of Soybean Field Fumigated with SO(2).

Sixty-day-old soybean plants were exposed in the field to 78.7 parts per one-hundred million of SO(2) in an open-air fumigation system for 20 days. Leaves from the top one-fourth and bottom one-fourth of the plants were analyzed for chlorophyll, free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, polar lipid fatty acids, and sterols. Fumigated plants had a lower chlorophyll, free fatty acid, and polar lipid content, but a higher fatty acid ester content. Of the individual fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic acid increased with SO(2) fumigation while palmitic acid decreased. SO(2) fumigations had only a minor effect on leaf sterols. In general, the lower, more mature leaves showed a greater response to SO(2) exposure.

Journal Article↗

Synergistic neurotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride/carbon disulfide (80/20 fumigants) and other pesticides in grain storage workers.

Neurophysiologic, neurobehavioral, and neuropsychologic profiles in 17 grain storage workers, 1 grain inspector, and 4 malting laboratory workers are described. The effects of CS2 toxicity as seen in viscose rayon workers as well as in experimental animals is remarkably similar to the clinical profile of our grain storage workers. CS2 use explains the dysfunction of peripheral axons, auditory nerve, the optic nerve, and the extrapyramidal system, as well as altered behavior and cognition changes. The signs and symptoms in these workers seem to be dose-related and we note that workers separated out from the areas where fumigation took place reported improvement not seen by fellow workers who continued the fumigant treatment routine. Likewise, malting laboratory workers exposed only to the grain dust from 3 to 7 years showed only minimal symptoms. Though a number of mechanism have been suggested for the alteration of neuropsychological function, the chelating ability of DDC derived from CS2 and its ability to markedly increase copper and zinc within the central nervous system suggests a mechanism of toxicity analogous to copper intoxication as in Wilson's Disease and may explain the production of extrapyramidal symptoms in these patients. Chelation of copper might prove therapeutic in CS2 poisoning. It is obvious that both basic and clinical research will be necessary to sort out the questions raised. We applaud the EPA's decision to ban the use of 80/20 fumigants and also methyl bromide, and trust that similar toxic substances be carefully studied before their selection for replacing these previous toxic agents. We further decry the technique of re-introducing grain dust into the food chain rather than destroying it, since the dust contains very high residues of fumigant material. We speculate on the possible role of CS2 and other pesticides in the food chain and the incidence of Parkinsonian symptoms in these patients and the general public.

Adult↗

Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils.

The oxidation of [(sup14)C]methyl bromide ([(sup14)C]MeBr) to (sup14)CO(inf2) was measured in field experiments with soils collected from two strawberry plots fumigated with mixtures of MeBr and chloropicrin (CCl(inf3)NO(inf2)). Although these fumigants are considered potent biocides, we found that the highest rates of MeBr oxidation occurred 1 to 2 days after injection when the fields were tarped, rather than before or several days after injection. No oxidation of MeBr occurred in heat-killed soils, indicating that microbes were the causative agents of the oxidation. Degradation of MeBr by chemical and/or biological processes accounted for 20 to 50% of the loss of MeBr during fumigation, with evasion to the atmosphere inferred to comprise the remainder. In laboratory incubations, complete removal of [(sup14)C]MeBr occurred within a few days, with 47 to 67% of the added MeBr oxidized to (sup14)CO(inf2) and the remainder of counts associated with the solid phase. Chloropicrin inhibited the oxidation of MeBr, implying that use of this substance constrains the extent of microbial degradation of MeBr during fumigation. Oxidation was by direct bacterial attack of MeBr and not of methanol, a product of the chemical hydrolysis of MeBr. Neither nitrifying nor methane-oxidizing bacteria were sufficiently active in these soils to account for the observed oxidation of MeBr, nor could the microbial degradation of MeBr be linked to cooxidation with exogenously supplied electron donors. However, repeated addition of MeBr to live soils resulted in higher rates of its removal, suggesting that soil bacteria used MeBr as an electron donor for growth. To support this interpretation, we isolated a gram-negative, aerobic bacterium from these soils which grew with MeBr as a sole source of carbon and energy.

Journal Article↗

Gas chromatographic determination of fumigant residues in stored grains, using isooctane partitioning and dual column packings.

A gas chromatographic (GC) procedure for determining fumigants in grains was developed. Fumigants were leached from grain samples with the official AOAC method using acetone-water (5 + 1). They were then partitioned from the leachate with isooctane, yielding a dry, stable extract that was analyzed by GC. Fortified sample recoveries ranged from 90 to 100%. Two GC columns were used, 20% OV-101 and 20% OV-225/20% OV-17 (2 + 1). These columns gave dissimilar retention profiles and baseline resolution for the 7 fumigants investigated: chloroform, ethylene dichloride, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, chloropicrin, ethylene dibromide, and tetrachloroethylene. Further tests showed that grain samples could be screened for fumigant residues by direct injection of the acetone-water leachates obtained using the AOAC method.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Acute pesticide poisoning associated with use of a sulfotepp fumigant in a greenhouse--Texas, 1995.

Pesticide fumigants that eradicate pests but do not damage flowers or foliage can be used to protect market-ready florals. During November 1995, a pesticide applicator worker in Texas became ill during fumigation despite wearing the personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended on the fumigant product label. This report summarizes the results of the case investigation by the Texas Department of Health (TDH) and CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and a survey of growers about pesticide use. The findings indicate that the recommended PPE may be inadequate to protect workers using sulfotepp fumigants from pesticide poisoning.

Adult↗

Agreement between company-recorded and self-reported estimates of duration and frequency of occupational fumigant exposure.

Investigators must often rely on self-reported work history information collected with questionnaires. However, little is known about the agreement between self-reported estimates of exposure and records kept by companies. As part of a cross-sectional medical study of structural fumigation workers, self-reported work history information was collected on both duration and frequency of exposure using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. All company records available on these workers were also collected. Only 15 of 81 structural fumigation companies identified by study participants as current or past structural fumigation employers had records suitable for comparison. These 15 companies employed 32 of the workers who participated in the cross-sectional medical study. The exposure information provided by the 32 workers was compared to information obtained from company records. By examining the agreement between these two data sources, potential limitations were identified in both the self-reported and company-recorded exposure data. By recognizing these limitations in the exposure data, we identified the most appropriate exposure measures to be used in subsequent data analyses. This exercise also demonstrated the difficulties in undertaking these exposure comparisons in an industry consisting of many small, independent companies. Similar difficulties with assessing exposures may be experienced by investigators studying other service industries consisting of many small, independent companies (e.g., dry cleaning, auto repair).

Adult↗

Contact and fumigant activities of constituents of Foeniculum vulgare fruit against three coleopteran stored-product insects.

The insecticidal activities of materials derived from the fruit of fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, against adults of Sitophilus oryzae, Callosobruchus chinensis and Lasioderma serricorne were examined using direct contact application and fumigation methods. The biologically active constituents of the Foeniculum fruits were characterized as the phenylpropenes (E)-anethole and estragole, and the monoterpene (+)-fenchone, by spectroscopic analysis. Responses varied with insect species, compound, dose and exposure time. In a filter paper diffusion test, estragole at 0.168 mg cm-2 caused 91% mortality to S oryzae adults within 1 day after treatment (DAT), whereas (+)-fenchone and (E)-anethole gave over 90% mortality at 2 and 4 DAT, respectively. Against C chinensis adults, all test compounds revealed potent insecticidal activities at 0.021 mg cm-2 at 2 DAT. Against L serricorne adults at 0.105 mg cm-2, (E)-anethole gave 100% mortality at 1 DAT, whereas 90 and 60% mortality at 4 DAT was achieved with estragole and (+)-fenchone, respectively. In a fumigation test, the compounds were much more effective against adults of S oryzae, C chinensis and L serricorne in closed cups than in open ones, indicating that the insecticidal activity of test compounds was largely attributable to fumigant action. As naturally occurring insect-control agents, the F vulgare fruit-derived materials described could be useful for managing field populations of S oryzae, C chinensis and L serricorne.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗

Enhanced fumigant toxicity of p-cymene against Frankliniella occidentalis by simultaneous application of elevated levels of carbon dioxide.

The fumigant toxicity of the essential oil component p-cymene was assessed against Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. F occidentalis adult females, first- and second-instar larvae and eggs were exposed for 2, 24 and 48 h to combinations of three p-cymene doses and two carbon dioxide levels (ambient, 10%). Additional experiments were conducted on F occidentalis adult females with lower carbon dioxide levels (ambient, 2%, 4%, 6%) applied in combination with p-cymene. Combined applications of p-cymene and carbon dioxide were found to increase significantly the fumigant toxicity of p-cymene against both adult female and larval thrips, but not thrips eggs. An increase in exposure time also led to an increase in adult and larval mortalities in both the p-cymene alone and combined treatments. These results indicate that by combining applications of the essential oil component, p-cymene, with increased carbon dioxide, it may be possible to achieve toxicity levels similar to those of standard chemical fumigants.

Animals↗

Bromide-ion balance of a polder district with large-scale use of methyl bromide for soil fumigation.

When concentrations of bromide ion were determined in waters in a polder district of The Netherlands where there is large-scale use of methyl bromide for soil fumigation, the maximum concentrations in precipitation, surface water and ground water were found to be 0.98, 41 and 17 g/m3, respectively. The highest concentrations of bromide ion in surface water were found in September-October during the main fumigation season. For the period 1 September 1979 to 31 August 1980 a bromide-ion balance was computed for the polder district. The contribution of the use of methyl bromide to the input of bromide ion in the polder district was 215 Mg (Mg = 1000 kg), which corresponds to 68% of the total input of bromide ion (318 Mg). On average over a year, about 14% of the dosage of methyl bromide applied for soil fumigation was converted to bromide ion.

Bromides↗

Two-year oral chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study in rats of diets fumigated with methyl bromide.

A chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study was conducted by feeding diets containing 80, 200 or 500 ppm total bromine following fumigation with methyl bromide, a diet containing 500 ppm potassium bromide, or a basal diet alone to groups of 60 male and 60 female Fischer (F344) rats for up to 2 yr. Ten males and ten females from each group were killed after wk 52 and 104 for urinalysis, haematology, blood biochemistry and pathology. Rats that were killed in extremis or found dead during the study and all rats that survived to the end of the study were also subjected to pathological examinations. In rats fed the diets fumigated with methyl bromide there were no marked toxic changes, except for a slight depression of body-weight gain from wk 60 onwards in males of the 500-ppm group, and tumour incidence was unaffected. Rats given a diet containing potassium bromide did not show any treatment-related changes. It was concluded that residues of up to 500 ppm total bromine in diets fumigated with methyl bromide are not carcinogenic in F344 rats of either sex and that the maximum no-effect level is 200 ppm (6.77 mg total bromine/kg body weight/day) in males. The maximum no-effect level could not be determined in females.

Animals↗

Macromolecular adducts in the use of methyl bromide as fumigant.

An HPLC method for analysis of blood protein adducts of methyl bromide was developed. With this method, the alkylated amino acid S-methylcysteine can be quantified both in globin and in serum albumin. The determination of these adducts was implemented in a field study on fumigators who use methyl bromide for the control of insects, nematodes and fungi. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was determined in the lymphocytes of the fumigators as an additional biomonitoring parameter. Exposure of persons living in the vicinity of fumigated objects to methyl bromide has been repeatedly reported in the past. The new method for determination of blood protein adducts can be applied for evaluation of such environmental exposure.

Blood Proteins↗

Observations on the effects of formaldehyde on cockroaches and their flora: I. Survival of vaccinia virus-infected cockroaches during fumigation with formaldehyde.

In these studies it is shown that the common "British" and "American" adult cockroaches can survive exposure to formaldehyde fumigation carried out at double the strength and for four times as long as is recommended for disinfection of rooms. It is further reported that vaccinia virus ingested prior to the fumigation survives in the cockroach gut and may be excreted up to 5 days later. Since cockroaches are ubiquitous and are to be found in most hospitals, laboratories and animal houses, these findings should be considered whenever fumigation is called for.

Animals↗

Residue formations of phosphorus hydride polymers and phosphorus oxyacids during phosphine gas fumigations of stored products.

With the extent of international usage and the critical role phosphine gas (PH3) plays in commercial pest control, identification of the residual components deposited during fumigation is mandatory. It has been postulated that these infrequent residues are primarily composed of phosphoric acid or reduced forms of phosphoric acid [hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2) and phosphorous acid (H3PO3)], due to the oxidative degradation of phosphine. Using environmental scanning electron microscopy, gas phase Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, the structural elucidation and formation mechanism of the yellow amorphous polyhydric phosphorus polymers (P(x)H(y)) that occur in addition to the lower oxyacids of phosphorus in residues deposited during PH3 fumigations of select tobacco commodities are explored. This research determined that nitric oxide gas (or nitrogen dioxide) initiates residue formation of phosphorus hydride polymers and phosphorus oxyacids during PH3 fumigations of stored products.

Drug Residues↗

Survival and proliferation of alginate encapsulated Trichoderma spp. in Egyptian soil in comparison with allyl alcohol soil fumigation.

Conidia of Trichoderma harzianum and T. pseudokoningii (Rifai) were formulated to make alginate pellets with or without 10% cellulose as a food-base material. The formulations were compared for their ability for survival and proliferation of Trichoderma spp. in clay-loamy soil (50% moisture content) with allyl alcohol fumigation (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ml/1,000 ml space). Trichoderma medium E (TME) containing 100 microg/ml pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) was valuable for isolation and counting of Trichoderma spp. from the tested soil than the Glucose-Czapek's agar medium containing 1:15,000 Rose-bengal. The promotive effect of Trichoderma by different doses of allyl alcohol fumigation still enhanced after two-month incubation period. Conidia entrapped in alginate with or without cellulose and introduced into the soil survived better than conidia added directly to the same soil after three months incubation period. Sterile soil provided a more favorable environment for the proliferation and survival of immobilized conidia than the non-sterile soil, and the addition of 10% cellulose increased the survival of the entrapped conidia more than those prepared without cellulose. Soil fumigation inhibited the occurrence of other fungal species; however, inoculation of the soil with alginate immobilized conidia or conidial suspension had such inhibitory effect but in a less extent.

Alginates↗

Effect of concentration and exposure time on treatment efficacy against Varroa mites (Acari: Varroidae) during indoor winter fumigation of honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with formic acid.

The combination of the concentration of formic acid and the duration of fumigation (CT product) during indoor treatments of honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies to control the varroa mite, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, determines the efficacy of the treatment. Because high concentrations can cause queen mortality, we hypothesized that a high CT product given as a low concentration over a long exposure time rather than as a high concentration over a short exposure time would allow effective control of varroa mites without the detrimental effects on queens. The objective of this study was to assess different combinations of formic acid concentration and exposure time with similar CT products in controlling varroa mites while minimizing the effect on worker and queen honey bees. Treated colonies were exposed to a low, medium, or high concentration of formic acid until a mean CT product of 471 ppm*d in room air was realized. The treatments consisted of a long-term low concentration of 19 ppm for 27 d, a medium-term medium concentration of 42 ppm for 10 d, a short-term high concentration of 53 ppm for 9 d, and an untreated control. Both short-term high-concentration and medium-term medium-concentration fumigation with formic acid killed varroa mites, with averages of 93 and 83% mortality, respectively, but both treatments also were associated with an increase in mortality of worker bees, queen bees, or both. Long-term low-concentration fumigation had lower efficacy (60% varroa mite mortality), but it did not increase worker or queen bee mortality. This trend differed slightly in colonies from two different beekeepers. Varroa mite mean abundance was significantly decreased in all three acid treatments relative to the control. Daily worker mortality was significantly increased by the short-term high concentration treatment, which was reflected by a decrease in the size of the worker population, but not an increase in colony mortality. Queen mortality was significantly greater under the medium-term medium concentration and the short-term high concentration treatments than in controls.

Animals↗

Methyl bromide as a microbicidal fumigant for tree nuts.

Methyl bromide (MeBr) has broad microbicidal activity, but its use as a disinfectant for food is limited by the resulting bromide residues. Increasing the MeBr concentration, exposure temperature, or exposure period of a treatment tended to increase both the microbicidal efficacy of MeBr and the bromide residues. Its sporicidal activity was less at high than at low relative humidity within the range of 20 to 99%. Both the efficacy and the resulting residues of a MeBr treatment varied inversely with the load of product in a fumigation chamber due to sorption of the fumigant. Fumigation tests with almond kernels inoculated with Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium indicated that MeBr can be used to disinfect whole nut kernels without resulting in excessive bromide residues, although the MeBr level necessary is higher than that normally used for insect control.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Controlled formaldehyde fumigation system.

A comparative study of formaldehyde (HCHO) fumigation was carried out by controlled vaporization, using an electric vapor generator, and by the Formalin-permanganate method. Determination of vapor levels as well as bactericidal action showed the generator to be more effective. Maximum achievable fumigant levels were temperature dependent and related to the equilibrium vapor concentration of HCHO. At a room temperature of 21 degrees C, vaporization of more than 2,000 micrograms of HCHO per liter resulted in conversion of HCHO to paraformaldehyde, which condensed on surfaces and contributed to prolonged residual vapor levels. An electronic monitor is described which is capable of detecting HCHO levels as low as 10 microgram/liter and can be used to monitor the complete fumigation process.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Actual hazard of methyl bromide fumigation in soil disinfection.

Methyl bromide, a highly toxic and ready penetrating fumigant, is widely used against rodents, insects, mites, and a range of pathogenic organisms in soil, compost, and timber. To disinfect soil in greenhouses, methyl bromide is brought under pressure from outside by a vaporiser and blown on to ground under a polyethylene cover. The gas being three times heavier than air easily penetrates the ground. Depending on the local ventilation, a considerable amount of gas evaporates into the surrounding atmosphere, this emission being especially serious during the fumigation procedure and at the removal of the plastic cover. Previously, mechanical injection of methyl bromide on to the ground within closed areas was prohibited, since this technique exposed at least four disinfection workers at a time, who were provided with only a canister respirator, to gas concentrations of over 1000 ppm CH3Br. The present study established that fumigation with methyl bromide also carries risks for the well-protected worker inside, as well as for the one controlling the vaporiser. The concentration during application varies from 30 to 3000 ppm. Concentration in the air declines with time to 4 ppm CH3Br five days after application. Discarding the plastic sheet involves exposure to peak values as high as 200 ppm for a few seconds. On the ninth day after application, milling the soil can expose workers to up to 15 ppm; on the eleventh day no CH3Br concentration in the air could be found.

Agriculture↗