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Laboratory Measured Emission Losses of Methyl Isothiocyanate at Pacific Northwest Soil Surface Fumigation Temperatures

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Abstract

Temperature is a major environmental factor influencing land surface volatilization at the time of agricultural field fumigation. Cooler fumigation soil temperatures relevant to Pacific Northwest (PNW) application practices with metam sodium/potassium should result in appreciably reduced methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) emission rates, thus minimizing off target movement and bystander inhalation exposure. Herein, a series of laboratory controlled flow-through soil column assessments were performed evaluating MITC emissions over the range of cooler temperatures (2–13°C). Assessments were also conducted at the maximum allowed label application temperature of 32°C. All assessments were conducted at registration label-specified field moisture capacity, and no more than 50% cumulative MITC loss was observed over the 2-day post-fumigation timeframe. Three-fold reductions in MITC peak fluxes at cooler PNW application temperatures were observed compared to the label maximum temperature. This study supports current EPA metam sodium/potassium label language that indicates surface fumigations during warmer soil conditions should be discouraged.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for support from the Washington State Potato Commission, Oregon Potato Commission, Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registrations and product support from Tessenderlo Kerley. We are grateful to Steve Jordan from the Department of Engineering, Washington State University Tri Cities in constructing soil columns. We also wish to acknowledge the technical support of Jane LePage and Wade Carter of Washington State University Tri Cities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Ginseng and Antler Products, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin, China

    Zhou Lu

  2. Food & Environmental Quality Laboratory, Washington State University, 2710 University Drive, Richland, WA, 99354, USA

    Vincent R. Hebert

  3. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Glenn C. Miller

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  1. Zhou Lu
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  2. Vincent R. Hebert
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  3. Glenn C. Miller
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Correspondence to Vincent R. Hebert.

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Lu, Z., Hebert, V.R. & Miller, G.C. Laboratory Measured Emission Losses of Methyl Isothiocyanate at Pacific Northwest Soil Surface Fumigation Temperatures. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 98, 257–261 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1993-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1993-2

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