ABSTRACT
Fumigants are an important class of pesticides used for the production of high-value food crops. They can be applied to soil to control pests and to stored commodities awaiting transport and processing, primarily to control insects and disease. Fumigants account for roughly 40% of all pesticides applied in California. Detailed examples are given for methyl bromide (MeBr), applied to soil preplant and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) and the newer biofumigants such as ethyl formate. MeBr is of particular concern because it is a stratospheric ozone depleter. Newer fumigants are being introduced to replace MeBr, but MeBr is still popular because it leaves no residue and is highly effective. An example is given for MeBr applied to soil showing how field analysis and modeling demonstrate how risk assessment and risk management can be done with pesticides, applied to fumigants.
