11.

Term used in fumigation

11. Term used in fumigation

Aerate

To unseal a fumigated area and allow air

in and gas to escape. This is done until
gas levels are low enough to allow safe
reentry.

Carrier

An inert material that serves as a diluent

by may provide additional benefits.
Carbon dioxide added to fumigant
mixtures helps suppress fires or
explosions, and aids gas distribution.

Circulation

The movement of the gas within the

confined space.

Compatibility

The actual amount of gas that can be

measured in the free air space of a
fumigated area. This will be less than the
dosage due to leakage and sorption.
Normally concentration is expressed in g/
3

m , Oz/1000 cu.ft., or in p.p.m.

CT product

The measured amount of a fumigant over

a certain period of time (mg h/1) or ounce
hours per thousand cubic feet. Ideally the
concentration is measured each hour and
the amounts are added together. It is also
possible to extrapolate data from less
frequent readings.

Condensation

The action when a vapour changes to a

liquid form such as the condensation of
water vapour from the air when the air is
cooled.

Dermal toxicity

Toxicity of a material as tested on the

skin. It normally suggests that the
chemical passes through the skin and
affects some body function. [Hydrogen
cyanide will penetrate the skin readily and
could be fatal even when a gas mask is
worn],

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11. Term used in fumigation

Diffusion

The process whereby a fumigant moves

from an area of high concentration
towards an area of lower concentration.
Gases with a higher molecular weight will
move slower than ones with a lower
molecular weight if all else is equal.

Dispersion

The movement of the gas from its point of

release, i.e., passively by convection
through the fumigated enclosure, and
molecularly by diffusion over short
distances.

Door gaskets

Rubber or plastic cushions lining the edge

of doors. When these are in good
condition they help give a better seal.

Dormant

A resting stage of an insect during which

respiration is reduced. This is often a
stage that is difficult to kill.

Dosage

The amount of fumigant introduced. Much

of this will be lost due to leakage or
sorption. Dosage is normally measured in
3

g/m or oz/1000 cu ft.

Equilibrium

The point at which the gas concentration

is the same throughout the fumigated
area. A long exposure time or air
circulation may be needed to achieve this.
Failure to achieve equilibrium would be a
sign of poor fumigation technique.

Evolve

The release of gas molecules from a liquid

or solid substance. Moisture and heat are
required to release phosphine from
aluminum phosphide tablets but only
temperatures above 39.5F are required
for methyl bromide to evolve into gas.

Fumigant

A chemical which, at a required

temperature and pressure, can exist in a
gaseous state in sufficient concentration
to be lethal to a given target organism.
This means that it will move as single
molecules and can therefore penetrate
through most materials other than metal
or glass.

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11. Term used in fumigation

Gas proof sheet

Any cloth or plastic that by itself or with

its coating can contain given fumigant
gases in sufficient quantities to achieve
total control during a fumigation.

Hatch

An opening or door to an area of a ship

such as a hold.

Heat exchanger

A device usually containing hot water that

will exchange heat with fumigant gases
that are passed through. This is used to
assure that gases such as methyl bromide
are warmed to the point of a true gas in
spite of the cooling effect that occurs
when such gases are released and
expand. Gases such as methyl bromide
have different properties as a liquid and
can cause damage that would not occur in
the gaseous phase.

Headspace

The amount of space in a container above

the product.

Half-loss time

The amount of time that has elapsed

before one half of the gas has been lost
due to leakage and sorption. This is an
important measurement in relation to the
remaining concentration.

Holds

The storage compartments in a ship that

are below deck.

Inhalation hazard

The hazard to persons or animals from

breathing in the fumigant gas. This is the
principal hazard from most fumigants.

Insecticide

A chemical designed to control insects.

Intransit fumigation

A fumigation that occurs inside the

transportation vehicle or container. It may
occur partly while the object is stationary
but the term indicates that the area was
not aerated prior to shipment.

Leakage

The loss of fumigant gas through an

opening in the building or the gas proof
sheet.

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11. Term used in fumigation

Modified atmospheres

A change in the composition of the gases

in the air in a confined and sealed
structure. Normally oxygen is greatly
reduced and carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, or nitrogen is increased.
Control of the insects can be due to
merely the depletion of the oxygen or to
the toxicity of the remaining gases at that
concentration.

Ounce hours

A measurement that reflects the total

exposure of the fumigant to the insect.
Properly measured, it is the total of the
concentration at each hour of exposure.

Penetration

The passage of a fumigant gas into or

through an object such as grain, soil, or
building walls.

Persistence

The quality of an insecticide to persist as

an effective residue due to its low
volatility and chemical stability.
Fumigants are examples of pesticides that
are not normally considered persistent.
Exceptions would be where the fumigant
was retained by cold surfaces such as
cold grain may retain liquid fumigants for
a period of months.

Polyethylene (Poly)

One type of plastic sheet that is used as a

gas proof sheet. It is available in several
thicknesses and in many widths and
lengths. Light weight materials are used
only once and then only inside since it
can be torn easily.

Quintal

100 kg

Picul

60 kg

Release of fumigant

The introduction of the fumigant either

from a cylinder or from formulations that
will cause the gas to evolve.

Residue

The amount (often a trace) of a pesticide

and its metabolites left in the food crop
after treatment.

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11. Term used in fumigation

Residue tolerance

An amount set by a government that they

will permit of a residue in a food crop. It is
an amount that they believe will not harm
the consumer based on the toxicity and
the percentage of that food in the normal
diet. It is often set at 1/100 of the amount
that can produce a symptom of any kind
in a person. It is always as low as good
practice will permit even if a higher
amount probably would not hurt anyone.

Resistance (insecticide)

Ability of an organism to tolerate the

normal concentration and time of a
pesticide such as a fumigant. A 10' fold
resistance would mean that 10 times as
high concentration might be needed.
Resistance is usually the result of poor
control that has allowed only the least
susceptible individuals to breed with
similar individuals. This selects for
increased resistance.

Sachet

A package of fumigant designed to

release the gas hut retain the remaining
dust. Sometimes called a bag.

Sanitation

A programme of cleaning and

maintenance designed to deny food and
shelter to specific organisms. Removal of
old or spilled grain would be an example
of one small part of a Sanitation
Programme.

Sealed

The enclosing of an area so that the gas

cannot escape too quickly. It is
recognized that a certain amount of
leakage will occur on even the best
fumigations hut this needs to be held to a
minimum.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus A mask that tightly covers the entire face
and has breathing air supplied from a
compressed air tank carried separately,
usually on the back.
Shooting hose

A hose that is connected to a cylinder and

then placed inside the sealed area that is
to be fumigated. It is a means to transport
the gas from the cylinder to the fumigated
area.

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11. Term used in fumigation

Space sprays

Pesticides that are dispersed temporarily

in the air where they will stay suspended
for a short period of time. They are
designed primarily to kill flying insects
but can kill others exposed insects as
they mist settles.

Sorption

The total uptake of gas resulting from the

attraction and retention of the molecules
by any solid materials present in the
system. This can he a significant reason
for gas loss.

Stacks

A series of bags of grain placed on top of

each other in an orderly fashion.

Tarpaulin (Tarp)

A fabric used to cover an object. This term

is sometimes used to indicate gas proof
sheets but it is also used to merely
indicate waterproof sheets. To avoid
confusion, use the term gas proof sheets.

Tape

A strip of cloth, paper, or plastic with

adhesive on one or both sides. It is often
used in fumigation to seal small cracks. It
will stop the airflow if it does not come
loose but tests show that most tapes are
readily penetrated by fumigant gases.

Vapour pressure

The pressure exerted by a gas that is in

equilibrium with its solid or liquid state.
This would indicate it is more volatile if it
has a high vapor pressure.

a.i.

Active ingredient.

ft/sec

Cubic feet per second.

m/sec

Cubic meters per second.

Grams.
3

g/m(gm )

Grams per cubic meter. HEHous exposure.

HLT

Half loss time.

Cubic meters.

p.p.m

Parts per million.

p.p.b.

Parts per billion.

SCBA

Self contained breathing apparatus.

Degrees fahrenheit.

Degrees centigrade.

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11. Term used in fumigation

met"

1000 cu ft.

%w/w

Percent weight/weight.

%w/v

Percent weight/volume.

g/m3 Phosphine x 658.8 = ppm

ppm - 10,000 = % by volume in air
g/m3 methyl bromide x 235.9 = ppm
oz/1000 cu ft = g/m3 = mg/liter (approximately)
1b/1000 US bu x 12.87 = g/m3
1 g/m3 phosphine = 659 ppm = 28.5g/1000 cu. ft. = 33g/1165 cu ft
In practical terms, the above conversions are indicative only. For more accurate
conversions, temperature and pressure are important. For example, at 25C
and 760mm.,
g/m3 (g.m-3) Phosphine x 718 = p.p.m.
g/m3 (g.m-3) Methyl bromide x 257 = p.p.m.

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