Strawberry Pesticide: Not in MY Backyard

replacement for methyl bromide. nt (4.00 / 2)

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by: count @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 03:49:17 AM UTC

Thanks, fixed nt (4.00 / 2)

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

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by: Jill Richardson @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 04:14:32 AM UTC

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EPA page (4.00 / 2)

EPA Methyl Iodide page

On September 29, 2008, EPA issued new registration notices converting the one-year time-limited registrations to conditional registrations.
...

Iodomethane can be used to control these pests on crops and plants such as strawberries, tomatoes and peppers, ornamentals, turf, trees, and vines.

This ain't just about strawberry fields in Jill's backyard. Florida approved the use of methyl iodide last year. I don't know if it is already being used in other states. Methyl bromide continues to receive conditional use exemptions from the U.N. EPA has already submitted requests for conditional use exemptions through 2011 and will submit another request for 2012.

2009 MeBr critical use exemptions

California will submit its decision to outside peer review, and EPA has agreed to possibly reconsider its decision depending on the outcome of that peer review. I'm guessing that the EPA decision won't be reconsidered if peer review supports use of methyl iodide, but who knows?

Methyl iodide is a liquid, in contrast to methyl bromide, but the vapor pressure is so high that it boils at only 108 degrees Fahrenheit. It is easily absorbed through the skin. I would hate to be driving a tractor or working in those fields without an astronaut suit.

From the methyl iodide wiki,

Breathing methyl iodide fumes can cause lung, liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. It causes nausea, dizziness, coughing and vomiting. Prolonged contact with skin causes burns. Massive inhalation causes pulmonary edema.

Jill, is it possible to get a feeling whether decision makers are leaning heavily in one direction, or does the decision seem pretty much up for grabs?

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by: count @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:41:22 PM UTC

September 29 2008 (4.00 / 2)

Another end-of-term addition to the Bush legacy.

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by: count @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:44:30 PM UTC

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I don't know much more about this (4.00 / 2)

i believe methyl bromide was expensive enough that you'd only use it on very high value crops like strawberries and tomatoes. Hopefully methyl iodide is the same?

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

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by: Jill Richardson @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 19:00:22 PM UTC

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expense (4.00 / 1)

Interesting comment about the expense. Far as I know so far, methyl bromide is being marketed only by one Japanese company under the Midas brand name. Clever name, don't you think? Anyway, all their formulations are various blendswith chloropicrin, another biocide.

Midas

PLEASE NOTE:

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HONORS ARYSTA LIFESCIENCE WITH OZONE LAYER PROTECTION AWARD

CARY, N.C., April 22, 2009 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored Arysta LifeScience North America with the prestigious Ozone Layer Protection Award for bringing the breakthrough fumigant MIDAS® to market.

Doncha just love it? The hits keep coming.

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by: count @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 19:39:13 PM UTC

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critical use exemptions (4.00 / 1)

I meant critical use exemptions, not conditional use exemptions. Sorry. The link title is correct.

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by: count @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 19:51:06 PM UTC

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