ProFume® Gas Fumigant Named a Viable Alternative to Methyl Bromide in Stored Product Pest Control

Researchers and Fumigators Tout Benefits of Sulfuryl Fluoride at Methyl Bromide Alternatives Conference

INDIANAPOLIS – Jan. 23, 2006 – Ongoing independent studies and commercial trials of sulfluryl fluoride, the active ingredient in ProFume® gas fumigant, continue to demonstrate that ProFume is a viable alternative to methyl bromide in stored product pest control. Results from fumigations and trials with ProFume were presented at the 2005 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions held recently in San Diego, Calif.

This annual conference is committed to discussing alternatives to methyl bromide, which is being phased out globally because of its ozone-depleting characteristics. Again this year, attention was placed on ProFume® gas fumigant as a viable methyl bromide alternative. At the conference, seven individuals delivered presentations on commercial use and research findings, further demonstrating the effectiveness of ProFume in controlling stored product pests.

“Since its initial registration in 2004, we have made huge strides in demonstrating the effectiveness of ProFume through both research and commercial use,” said Suresh Prabhakaran, Ph.D., global research and development director for Dow AgroSciences LLC, the manufacturer of ProFume. “The research presented at this conference shows that ProFume gas fumigant with Precision Fumigation™ is a technically and economically viable solution.”

Presenters speaking on ProFume® gas fumigant included:

  • David K. Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply. Mueller reported on his company’s positive field experience with sulfluryl fluoride gas (ProFume) in food handling establishments, and demonstrated the efficacy of the product versus methyl bromide. Mueller also presented his customer’s satisfaction in various establishments including flour and rice mills as well as food processing plants.
  • Ed Hosoda, Cardinal Professional Products. Hosoda presented his findings entitled, “The Commercialization of ProFume in California,” which summarized the successful introduction of ProFume in California. Hosoda noted that field trials with ProFume had been going strong in California for the last eight years. In addition, Jim Garrett, owner of Fume-Tech, Inc. stated, “ProFume has made me a better fumigator.” California is the only state that has not registered the new food processing label which complements the milling label that has been accepted in all 50 states.
  • Dr. Bhadriraju Subramanyam, Professor in the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. Dr. Subramanyam reported on his findings regarding “ProFume Fumigation of Rice Mills in California: Effectiveness and User Perceptions.” Subramanyam said that fumigations with ProFume are as or more effective than those conducted with methyl bromide, and that both fumigators and millers were very satisfied with the results they received using ProFume. Also, Dr. Subramanyam noted that the costs were similar to methyl bromide fumigation, and that there was no down time difference for a mill using ProFume instead of methyl bromide.
  • Jeannette Muhareb of the Dried Fruit Association (DFA) of California (American Council for Food Safety and Quality). Muhareb presented “A Comparison of Sulfluryl Fluoride with Methyl Bromide on Stored Product Insects during Simulated Empty Mill Fumigations.” Muhareb concluded that both methyl bromide and ProFume® gas fumigant were successful in eliminating the target pests.

Additionally, representatives from Dow AgroSciences, including Dr. Prabhakaran, gave updates on the development and commercialization of ProFume® gas fumigant. Bob Williams discussed successful commercial fumigations in the United States from 2004-2005, while Dan Jenkins discussed the recent work being done with seed fumigation with ProFume. Both Williams and Jenkins are product technology specialists for ProFume.

ProFume gas fumigant is currently registered for use in all 50 states; the new food processing label has been accepted for use in 49 states, with registration pending in California. Internationally, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico, Canada, France and Belgium have registered ProFume. There have been over 120 commercial fumigations conducted with ProFume in the United States, and over 70 internationally. For more information about ProFume® gas fumigant or Precision Fumigation, visit www.ProFume.com.

 

For Editorial Information:

April Dart
Bader Rutter & Associates
(262) 784-7200
adart@bader-rutter.com

Mike Birtsas
Dow AgroSciences LLC
(317) 337-4728
mwbirtsas@dow.com