1. Sulfuryl Fluoride ProFume* Gas Fumigant
Technical Update August 5-7, 2003
Suresh Prabhakaran, Ph.D.
Field Research Scientist Dow AgroSciences

2. ProFume* Development
Dow AgroSciences investigated sulfuryl fluoride as a MeBr alternative for postharvest insect control.
Initial research focused on flour mills, food processing facilities, warehouses, and stored grains.
Cooperative research since 1995 with researchers, food scientists, food commodity groups, industry consultants, and fumigators in Australia, Europe, Japan, and the United States.
DAS’ stewardship & commitment to SF & safe fumigation practices

3. More Similarities Between ProFume & MeBr Than Differences
Both are excellent fumigants that:
have wide pest control spectrums
are non-flammable and odorless
have similar vapor density and molecular weights
are non-corrosive in vapor phase
utilize CT dosage relationship
Introduce CT concept of dosage…Most fumigators do not even think about this with MeBr & PH3 anymore. Often just use 1 lb/1000 cu ft or so many pellets per ton of grain, etc. Presenter must hit this key point!!!
Note: This is a key “mental bridge” that must be developed with the fumigators!
We are reinforcing that there are more similarities between MeBr & ProFume than differences. This should help to get you buy in on SF as a replacement.
Do Not Bash MeBr! Gets audience in the mindset of MeBr’s replacement.
Dosage = Concentration X Time

4. Key Differences: Fumigant Properties
Factor SF MeBr
Ozone Depleter No Yes
Penetration Rapid Slow
Sorption Low High
Desorption Rapid Slow
Aeration Rapid Slow
Odor Potential None Sulfurous
The chemistry of SF does not lend itself to degrade or deplete ozone as it does not contain Chlorine or Bromine molecules.
Penetration is a great feature of SF allowing to enter cracks and crevices deep in the fumigated space. Research shown by Dr. Chris Bell showed that SF penetrated flour faster and deeper than MeBr. This will increase insect control and decrease time of aeration.
Because SF is an inorganic molecule, it has lower sorption onto organic materials. This helps to desorb fumigant from treated commodity faster and leads to quicker aeration.
Also, being inorganic and the molecule is fully oxidized, it is very stable and does not react with most materials, thus odors problems are non-existent.

5. Key Differences: Packaging & Use
Factor SF MeBr
Cylinder Weight (net) 125 lb lb
86°F psi psi
Heat Exchanger No* Depends
Volume Control Hose Length/Dia None
Shooting Outside Depends
Summarizes key physical & chemical differences:
ProFume will only be available in one size, a cylinder that weighs approx. 200 lbs. that contains 125lb of ProFume. Because of the very high vapor pressure, a heavy duty cylinder is required to safely store and transport ProFume. Even though cylinders are heavier, they are easier to handle as they usually are kept palletized and not moved in and around the structure.
ProFume changes state from a liquid to a gas at the introduction point and fans are used to quickly distribute the gas and as a heat exchanger to mix the cooled fumigant laden air with the warmer air.
Due to the high pressure (300 PSI) allows it to be introduced from outside to and can be pushed to the top floor of the structure from ground level.
Introduction fans act to improve fumigant distribution and as an internal
heat exchanger

6. Pests Controlled With ProFume
Wide spectrum of insect and rodent (rats, mice) pests in postharvest cereal grain, dried fruit, and tree nuts.
All life stages.
Partial list of key pests includes:
Moths (IMM, MFM, CM, NOW, & AM)
Weevils (Granary, Rice, & Maize Weevil)
Beetles (RFB, CFB, STGB, LGB, & WHB)
BOLDLY SAY:
ProFume controls a wide spectrum of species and ALL life stages.
Many top researchers have done this research and have demonstrated effectiveness in both lab and field.
IMM = Indian Meal Moth
MFM = Mediterannean Flour Moth
CM = Codling Moth
NOW = Navel Orange Worm (walnut pest)
AM = Almond Moth
RFB = Red Flour Beetle
CFB = Confused Flour Beetle
STGB = Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
LGB = Lesser Grain Borer
WHB = Warehouse Beetle

7. ProFume Will Be Labeled For Use On:
Cereal Grains Dried Fruits Tree Nuts
Wheat Raisins Walnuts
Rice Prunes Almonds
Corn Figs Hazelnuts
Sorghum Apples Pecans
Barley Apricots Other Tree Nuts
Oats Bananas
Dates
Other dried fruits
Other commodities are being investigated.
We will have tolerances to allow us to fumigate all these commodities according to label directions.
Will ProFume be labeled on tobacco? No, Dow Chemical will not allow us to develop products for the tobacco market.

8. ProFume Development 1997 - 2003 39 Fumigations at 25 Sites:
California 11 mill fumes at 5 mill sites chamber fumes at 2 mill sites
U.S. Midwest 12 mill fumes at 8 mill sites
Germany 4 mill fumes at 3 mill sites
England 2 mill fume at 2 mill site
Italy 1 mill fume at 1 mill site
France 1 mill fume at 1 mill site
Switzerland 3 mill fume at 3 mill site (Received Registration)

9. Sulfuryl Fluoride Effects: Mills and Equipment
Non-Flammable gas
Not corrosive in gaseous phase
Stable to 400°C, an inorganic gas
Safe for use on sensitive electronic equipment and mechanical systems
No complaints from fumigated facilities!
Sulfuryl fluoride has been used in all sorts of structures for over 40 years!

10. Precision Fumigation Concept
PEST
HLT
TIME
TEMP
Half Loss Time
Precision Fumigation:
“Optimizing fumigant
use to maximize
efficiency and
minimize risk.”
Shot of 4 interrelated factors that fumigators can control…Have this one showing the entire time as you discuss the presentation
Interrelated Factors

11. Pest Efficacy
Effective on all key stored product insect and rodent pests
Dosage is species dependent
ProFume* can control all life stages of insects including eggs and diapausing stages
Postembryonic stages controlled with relatively low dosages
Egg stage requires higher dosages
Emphasize all life stages can be controlled with SF.
Effective on key pest species such as IMM, CM, NOW, MFM, CFB, RFB, MGB, STGB, WB, etc.
Not one rate for all insects, stages
Dosage dependent on many other factors
Egg stage can be controlled, but requires higher dosage
Answer on how much higher is “It Depends” on other factors.
Red Flour Beetle Life Stages

12. Temperature Factor Key factor for successful fumigation
Insects cold-blooded, so increasing TEMP increases metabolism
Increasing insect metabolism greatly improves efficacy of ProFume*
Increasing TEMP decreases exposure time and gas needed.
Temperature probably, the most important factor in dosage and efficacy...
Increasing insect metabolism increases efficiency and also helps develop insects into more sensitive life stages.
Often, can decrease Time if Temperature is increased
Increasing TEMP from 75° to 85° F,
significantly decreases gas needed

13. Temperature Factor Methods for increasing temperature:
Permanent / Built-in
hot water, steam, electric, fossil fuels, solar
Temporary / Leased
gas, electric, other
Time of Day
Seasonal
There are many ways fumigators can capitalize on increasing temperature by:
Use permanent or temporary items to increase temperature. Many times, planning ahead and sealing mill several days prior to fumigation can raise the temperature within the mill. Just capturing “waste heat” really makes a difference.
Use warmer periods of season if possible degree swings are possible.
Waiting until warmest time of day or a warmer week in some instances may be a good idea.

14. Exposure Time Factor (T)
Key component of C x T = Dosage
Increased time = Decrease gas needed
Decreased time = Increase gas needed
If structure has good gas confinement, increasing fumigation time is most cost effective factor available
Plan to maximize exposure time to minimize gas needed.
Doubling exposure time can
decrease gas needed by up to 50%
Explains exposure time factor….key component of dosage = CT
Single most important factor in reducing gas needed if a good seal exists….

15. Optimizing Time and HLT Factors
Amount Of Fumigant Needed With Various HLT and Exposures
Exposure Time HLT 5 HLT HLT 15
18 hrs X X X
24 hrs X X X
32 hrs X X X
48 hrs X X X
Doubling exposure time with good HLT
decreased gas cost significantly
Case study showing reduction of gas by increasing HLT….
Assume planned fumigation is for 24 hr exposure, HLT of 5 for several pests is 1X rate …..3 key take home points are shown here….
* If HLT is increased from 5 to 10 or even 15, then real gas savings occurs… you would only need 55% or 45% of the amount of fumigant to get the same job done!
* If HLT is poor then extending time still saves fumigant, but much less! Look at the HLT=5 column, minimal fumigant savings by extending fumigation additional 8 hours….
* However, if HLT can be increased from 5 to 10 or 15, then increased sealing and extending exposure time can really reduce gas needed to do the job.

16. Dosage Determined with ProFume* Fumiguide* Calculator
A MS-Windows based PC program
“Precision Fumigation” dosage tool
based on pest species, life stage, temp., exposure time, volume, and load factor
also gives gas introduction instructions
Allows “what if” scenarios to help fumigators and customers
Records fumigation data
Prints reports
* TM Dow AgroSciences LLC
Fumiguide* electronic calculator makes dosage much easier!
Allows “what if scenarios to help fumigator and customer.
Serves as record keeping opportunity

17. ProFume* Stewardship

18. Commitment To Training & Stewardship
Key to Long Term Success
Required Fumigator Participation
Basic to Dow AgroSciences Fumigant Offering:
Extensive Training Program
Continuous Improvement in Methods and Materials
Utilizing Precision Fumigation Techniques
Enhanced Support to Industry

19. ProFume* Timelines

20. ProFume* Sites and Commodities
Flour Mills, DF&TN plants, Grain Storage
Food Processing Plants
Commodities
Cereal Grains: Wheat, Rice, Corn, Sorghum, Barley, Oats and other
Dried Fruits and Tree Nuts
Processed Foods (complex products)
Pet Food

21. Anticipated ProFume* Registration and Use Timelines
US Section 3 Label Cereal Grains, and Dried Fruit & Tree Nuts
Limited Launch In Cereal & DF&TN markets
US Food Processing Registration
European Approval for Mills and Dried Fruit/Tree Nuts
DAS’ stewardship & commitment to SF & safe fumigation practices

22. ProFume* Summary
ProFume is a Viable Fumigant for Mill, Food Processing and Stored Grain Fumigation
No Equipment Effects
No Quality Effects at Label Proposed Dosages
Mill Downtime Same as Now
Fumiguide & Other Tools for Precision Fumigation
Precision Fumigation Provides Flexibility to Fit Fumigation to Miller/Fumigator Needs and Budget
Summarizing key attributes & benefits