Section IV. FUMIGANTS AND FUNGICIDES
1-11. GENERAL
Fumigants are poisons that are used in gaseous form to kill insects, rodents, and
other pests via the respiratory tract. The use of fumigants is generally limited to
enclosed spaces or tightly sealed containers. The gases used as fumigants penetrate
cracks, crevices, and tightly packed materials, providing a fast, direct, and effective way
of killing most stages of animal life. Because of their highly toxic nature, fumigants may
be applied only by trained and certified personnel. Standard fumigants may be further
classified according to their use as stored product fumigants, structural fumigants, and
soil fumigants.
1-12. STORED PRODUCT FUMIGANTS
Aluminum phosphide (Phostoxin), upon exposure to atmospheric moisture,
releases a gas known as hydrogen phosphide (PH3) or phosphine. It has an odor like
garlic and can penetrate even closely packed commodities. It is used for fumigation of
stored products indoors or outdoors under polyethylene or vinyl-coated tarpaulins,
which must be sealed to the floor or ground. It cannot be used with cloth or canvas
tarpaulins. It is also effective for the treatment of stored products in sealed boxcars or
hopper cars, whether static or rolling. Other military uses include the fumigation of raw
agricultural commodities, with or without tarpaulins, and structural or space fumigation
for pests of stored products and dry wood. Hydrogen phosphide gas can explode if
under vacuum and must be used only under atmospheric conditions. It will leave
treated material and the fumigated stack within one hour with normal ventilation
procedures. Under specific atmospheric conditions involving moisture condensation on
the item being fumigated, phosphine will corrode copper or products containing copper.
For this reason, such items must not be placed in an area or covered in a manner that
may induce condensation. In accordance with EPA label instructions, aluminum
phosphide must not be used in such a manner as to allow the pellets, tablets, or
unreacted residues (ash) to come in contact with any processed food. With this
exception, PH3 will not combine in any form to produce a food residue. Phosphine is
highly toxic to all forms of human, insect, and other animal life. For this reason,
application should be closely supervised by the engineer or medical entomologist.
Personnel engaged in the application of this fumigant must be certified and specially
trained. Aluminum phosphide is available in tablet or pellet form.
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