Profume Discussed at International Research Conference

ORLANDO, Fla. —The Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions is a forum for researchers, government policy officials and industry professionals to discuss scientific information and current research on methyl bromide alternatives and emissions reductions. Under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, production of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance, was phased out as of Jan. 1, 2005. As such, the development of economically and technically viable environmentally sound alternative pest control fumigants is critical.

Again at this year’s conference, ProFume® gas fumigant was presented as a suitable alternative to methyl bromide for stored product (post-harvest) pest control. Sulfuryl fluoride, the active ingredient in ProFume, has been used for nearly 50 years for controlling structure infesting pests under the trade name Vikane® gas fumigant. Because of the methyl bromide phase-out, several food industries approached Dow AgroSciences to consider developing sulfuryl fluoride for food commodity use. As a result, Dow AgroSciences formed a partnership with leading stored product researchers, fumigators and food industries around the world and developed ProFume as a post-harvest fumigant. ProFume received initial registration from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2004.

At the conference, Anne Bookout of Royal Fumigation presented “Commercial Use of ProFume on Stored Cocoa Beans.” Bookout stated, “The CMA’s (Chocolate Manufacturers Association) findings of no sensory effects from ProFume (on cocoa beans) have paved the way for commercial field trials of the fumigant.” She also said, “Royal’s experience in fumigating cocoa beans with ProFume has proven comparable to methyl bromide. The efficacy is on par."

Ed Hosoda of Cardinal Professional Products presented “Technology Transfer of ProFume® Gas Fumigant.” Hosoda stated, “We (Cardinal) have successfully used ProFume in large rice mills in California that required over 5,000 pounds of methyl bromide in a single application. At those mills, we effectively replaced those pounds with 4,500 pounds of ProFume, and have received excellent reviews from mill management.”

In his presentation, “Six Years of Field Experience Using Sulfuryl Fluoride on Grain and Food Processing Facilities,” John Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply, showcased the results from nearly 200 large-scale fumigations with ProFume. Mueller stated he has learned from his extensive experience that ProFume® gas fumigant has superior penetration to methyl bromide.

Suresh Prabhakaran, Ph.D., Global Sulfuryl Fluoride Technical Expert, Dow AgroSciences provided an update on the registration status and commercial success of ProFume during his presentation, “Commercialization and Adoption of ProFume® Gas Fumigant.” Prabhakaran stated that ProFume is registered in the United States for use in non-residential structures, food handling establishments, stationary transport vehicles, temporary and permanent fumigation chambers and storage structures. In addition, ProFume is registered outside of the United States in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, and Canada. “Recently, the Codex Alimentarius Commission approved maximum residue limits for sulfuryl fluoride for international trade,” Prabhakaran stated.

For more information on the 2006 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, including complete presentations, visit www.mbao.org. For more information on ProFume gas fumigant, visit www.ProFume.com.