Adoption of ProFume^® Gas Fumigant Advances

Recent performance data and global use summarized

INDIANAPOLIS – May 27, 2008 – ProFume^® gas fumigant is demonstrating around the world that it is a viable economic and technical alternative to methyl bromide. Suresh Prabhakaran, Ph.D., product development leader for Dow AgroSciences, discussed the U.S. and global adoption of the postharvest fumigant during the Purdue Pest Management Conference in January.

Registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004, ProFume is now being readily adopted on a global scale. ProFume is registered for use in 12 countries around the world, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and Mexico. Registration of three additional countries – Venezuela, Turkey and Thailand – is anticipated in 2008/2009.

“ProFume proves to fumigators, millers and researchers in commercial fumigations that it is a viable alternative to methyl bromide,” Prabhakaran says.

Performance success
The study includes fumigations from April 2004 through September 2007. Prabhakaran says a total of 318 commercial fumigations were conducted in 25 U.S. states, involving 426 structures at 175 locations. Structures fumigated included wheat and rice mills and warehouses, and commodity bins, silos, chambers and stacks.

“Of the 426 structures fumigated, all but two met or exceeded customer expectations,” Prabhakaran said. “Overall, 42 percent of the structures were fumigated with ProFume multiple times, some as many as seven consecutive times. In addition, there has been a 50 percent market adoption by volume of known rice mills, and these customers are very happy with the results ProFume has given them.”

As ProFume continues to be adopted by more millers and food processors, the average number of fumigations per month has risen as well. In 2004, fumigators averaged 4.7 fumigations with ProFume per month. By 2007, that number rose to 14.4 per month.

Third-party endorsement
Prabhakaran presented highlights of several recently published studies comparing ProFume and methyl bromide. A study in the Journal of Stored Products Research indicated that sulfuryl fluoride had similar efficacy to methyl bromide in controlling flour beetles in flour mills.¹

Another study in the Journal of Stored Products Research indicated the gas loss of methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride in typical fumigations also is comparable.²

ProFume also has the benefit of Precision Fumigation™ tools and techniques, Prabhakaran says, which gives fumigators the power to plan and conduct successful fumigations by creating a customized blueprint for each job. This results in a precise dosage of ProFume to ensure an efficient fumigation.

Environmental responsibility
The increased use of sulfuryl fluoride and other methyl bromide alternatives is having a significant impact on the environment. In fact, the decreased use of methyl bromide has been estimated to account for 25 percent of the overall decline in ozone-depleting substances.³

Dow AgroSciences and ProFume have been recognized for their contributions to the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Dow AgroSciences a partner in ozone protection and awarded the company its Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. In addition, Dow AgroSciences was awarded the Montreal Protocol Innovators Award for stratospheric ozone protection efforts.

“Dow AgroSciences is honored to have been recognized by the United Nations and the EPA for our development of methyl bromide-alternative products,” says Dave Morris, commercial leader, U.S. Urban Pest Management for Dow AgroSciences. “We are committed to developing tools that will help our customers meet their needs as methyl bromide continues to be phased out.”

About Dow AgroSciences
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world’s growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.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