Agency:

Agricultural Research Service

May 18, 1999

The invention is a method for the removal and rapid decomposition of halogenated fumigation agents. A fumigation agent, such as methyl bromide, contained in the gas stream exiting a fumigation chamber or structure is captured on activated carbon or other absorbent materials. The fumigation agent is rapidly decomposed using thiosulfate and water. The method provides an inexpensive, safe, and on-site executable way to remove and detoxify methyl bromide from fumigation discharge gases, thus reducing or eliminating methyl bromide emissions into the atmosphere.

Scott R. Yates	Jiaying Gan
USDA, ARS, PWA	USDA, ARS, PWA
Riverside, CA	Riverside, CA
(909) 369-4803 / Fax: (909) 342-4964	(909) 369-4804 / Fax: (909) 369-4804

Industry Keywords:

insect control, detection, fumigation, methyl bromide, environment, carbon, gases, detoxification, stored products, fruit, vegetables, absorbent, food safety, cucurbits, cut flowers, bulbs, nursery plants, root crops, stone fruit, nuts

The invention is a method for the removal and rapid decomposition of halogenated fumigation agents. A fumigation agent, such as methyl bromide, contained in the gas stream exiting a fumigation chamber or structure is captured on activated carbon or other absorbent materials. The fumigation agent is rapidly decomposed using thiosulfate and water. The method provides an inexpensive, safe, and on-site executable way to remove and detoxify methyl bromide from fumigation discharge gases, thus reducing or eliminating methyl bromide emissions into the atmosphere.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,904,909, "Methods for Removing and Decomposing Methyl Bromide from Fumigation Gases," which issued May 18, 1999.

Inventors:

Scott R. Yates Soil Physics and Pesticide Research Riverside, CA  92501 (909) 369-4803 / Fax: (909) 342-4964 syates@ussl.ars.usda.gov

Jianying Gan (Same as first inventor) (909) 369-4804 / Fax: (909) 369-4805 jgan@ussl.ars.usda.gov