A Guide to the Use of Phosphine Fumigants ©2011 DEGESCH America, Inc.
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Degesch America, Inc. (DAI) was founded in 1977 and is the United States arm of German based Detia-Degesch Gmbh. Our corporate headquarters and production facility are situated in the Shenandoah Valley town of Weyers Cave, Virginia. This facility opened on March 15, 1979 and is the only producer of aluminum phosphide (Phostoxin®) and magnesium phosphide (Magtoxin®) fumigants in the United States.
DAI is the leader in specialized product packaging for the fumigation industry. Products such as Phostoxin® Tablet Prepac & Prepac Rope , Magtoxin® Prepac Spot Fumigant, Fumi-Cel®, Fumi-Strip®, Magtoxin® Granules and Detia® Fumex are used extensively in the fumigation of food products.
DAI has pioneered the development of in-transit shipboard, railcar and barge fumigations and is the developer of efficient modern techniques such as the patented J-System® for land and shipboard use, the Degesch Phosphine Generator and the Degesch Catalytic Adsorption Unit
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EPA• Individual states &
municipalities
USDA• GIPSA, APHIS,PPQ
USCG• Ships & Barges
DOT• Inland transportation
21 kg Exemption
• CDL requirements
DHS• TWIC• Top screen process
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Chemtrec
PROSAR
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Phostoxin®, “a new fumigant releasing hydrogen phosphide” was invented in 1951 by Dr. L Hüter, DEGESCH Laboratory Director
US FIFRA Registration granted on November 10, 1958 to Hollywood Termite & Pest Control
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Dr. Herbert Rauscher
demonstrates probing Phostoxin
tablets in this photo from 1954
Read the Applicators Manualand MSDS completely prior to
undertaking any fumigation
Follow the instructions given inorder to obtain optimum results
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It is a violation of the law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling
Apply proper dosage Confirm volume Label application rate
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Proper sealingPermanent sealsTemporary seals
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Adequate exposure periodAvoid minimumsThink days; not hours
Adequate temperatureCommodity & AmbientExtended exposure period
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Insure lethal concentrationMonitor!
Monitor again!Monitor some more!
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Phostoxin® Tablet Prepac
Produce 33grams of phosphine
Phostoxin® Tablets
Produce 1 gram of phosphine
Phostoxin® Pellets
Produce .2 grams of phosphine
Phostoxin® Tablet Prepac Rope
Produce 1065 grams of phosphine
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130 Hour1 Hour2 Hours4 Hours6 Hours8 Hours10 Hours24 Hours26 Hours28 Hours30 Hours32 Hours
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Time in Hours
PH3 LevelBy %
T-1 = Moderate Temperature & High HumidityT-2 = High Temperature & Moderate HumidityT-3 = Moderate Temperature & Low Humidity
LC50 = 180ppmLC100 = 220ppm
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The Applicator’s Manual
must accompanythis product.
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Initial Instructions
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Phostoxin®
--------------------- AlP + 3H2O > Al(OH)3 + Ph3
Aluminum phosphide reacts with ambient humidity (water) producing aluminum hydroxide and phosphine.
Phostoxin also contains ammonium carbamate which reacts as follows: NH2COONH4 >2NH3 + CO2
Ammonium carbamate releases ammonia and carbon dioxide.
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Corrosive effects of phosphine on precious metals
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Temperature x Time x Concentration
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Maximum dosage rate
Recommended dosage ranges
H = HeightW = WidthL = Length
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π = 3.1416r = Radius = ½
DiameterD = Diameter C = Circumference =
πD
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Base Formula = L x W x H Loft Formula = (L x W x H) ÷ 2
Base Volume: 80′ x 20′ x 20′ = 32,000 Ft3
Loft Volume: (80′ x 20′ x 10′) = 16,000 ÷ 2 = 8,000Ft3
Total Volume: 32,000 Ft3 + 8,000 Ft3 = 40,000 Ft3
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Formula: (πr2 x L) ÷ 2 π = 3.1416
Volume = (3.1416 x 15′ x 15′ x 40′ = 28,274 Ft3
28,274 Ft3 ÷ 2 = 14,137 Ft3
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Formula: πr2 x (H÷3) r = ½D
3.1416′ x 13.5′ x 13.5′ x 5.33′ = 3, 051 Ft3
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Formula: πr2 x H r = ½D
3.1416′ x 13.5′ x 13.5′ x 16′ = 9,160 Ft3
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0-0.3ppm
No Respiratory Protection Required
Respiratory Protection
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0.3-15ppm = Full face canister mask
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Above 15ppm or unknown concentration =SCBA
A Certified Applicator must be physically present, responsiblefor, and maintain visual and/or voice contact with all fumigation
Workers during the application of the fumigant. Once theapplication is complete and the structure has been made securethe certified applicator does not need to be physically present at
the site.
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A Certified Applicator must be physically present, responsible for and maintain visual and/or voice contact with all fumigation
workers during the initial opening of the fumigation structure for aeration. Once the aeration process is secured
and monitoring has established that aeration can be completed safely the certified applicator does not need to be
physically present and trained person(s) can complete the process and remove the placards.
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Persons with documented training in the handling of phosphine productsmust be responsible for receiving, aerating and removal of placards from
vehicles which have been fumigated in transit. Refer to section 12 fortraining requirements.
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Draeger Water Vapor 1/b
n=
2
1510531
Batch: ARHM - 0111
8101781
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8 Hour TWA 0.3 ppm15 Minute STEL 1.0 ppm
Do not exceed the TLV of 0.3 ppm in any occupied areasReadings should be taken and documented
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The user must immediately report the theft of any
phosphine fumigants to the local police department
The registrant of the label must be informed by telephone of
any adverse incident to human health or the environment
involving their product so that records required by EPA can be
maintained
Placards must withstand adverse weather conditions Placards must have the name of the fumigation company
and a24-hour emergency telephone number
Placards must contain the EPA registration number of the product 46
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Dry, well ventilated area away from heat, under lock & key
Post as pesticide storage
Do not contaminate food, water or feed
Do not store in buildings where humans or domestic animals reside
Keep out of the reach of children
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20.1 Transport Designations - The following transport designations apply to aluminum phosphide
Proper Shipping Name:Aluminum phosphide
Hazard Class: 4.3
Identification No.: UN 1397
Packing Group: PG I
Shipping Label: Dangerous When Wet/Poison
Shipping Placard: Dangerous When Wet
20.2 Transportation Exemption: Exemption: DOT-E 10753 Purpose and Limitation: “…The motor vehicles used under the terms of this
exemption are not required to be placarded…” Modes of Transportation Authorized: Motor vehicle (Only private motor
vehicles used in pest control operations are authorized to transport the packages covered by the terms of this exemption.)
NOTE: You must have a copy of this exemption with you during transportation.
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Maximum Quantity: 1 Case (21 Kg )
20.2 Transportation Exemption: Exemption: DOT-E 10753 Purpose and Limitation: “…The motor vehicles used under the terms of this
exemption are not required to be placarded…” Modes of Transportation Authorized: Motor vehicle (Only private motor
vehicles used in pest control operations are authorized to transport the packages covered by the terms of this exemption.)
NOTE: You must have a copy of this exemption with you during transportation.
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Maximum Quantity: 1 Case (21 Kg )
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The certified applicator is responsible for working with
the owners and/or responsible employees of the
structure and/or area to be fumigated to develop a
Fumigation Management Plan (FMP). The FMP is
intended to ensure a safe and effective fumigation. The
FMP must address characterization of the structure
and/or area, and include appropriate monitoring and
notification requirements……
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Phostoxin being applied with probe and sleeve
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•Allows precise control of dosage
• Insures uniform distribution of pellets in grain mass
• Workers do not have to enter bin/tank to apply fumigant
• Used to apply pellets as grain is going into storage
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Ventilator fans must be covered...
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Quality Preparation = Quality Fumigation
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Vents or doors that may give access to the inside of the silo/bin must be covered or taped...
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The grain must be covered if you cannot seal off the vent system at the top of the silo / bin...
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Insures even distribution of fumigant
Workers do not have to enter bin/tank to apply fumigant
Used for grains already in storage
System installation can be either permanent or temporary
Dosage rates can often be reduced
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Permanent installation using
PVC piping
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Temporary installation using flexible plastic
drainage pipe
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Temporary installation using flexible plastic
drainage pipe
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Temporary installation using flexible plastic
drainage pipe
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Application being made from outside.
Note use of fall protection.
No matter what application method is used, the fumigation is not complete until the site contains 0.3ppm or less of phosphine
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Contingency planningBe prepared for the unexpected
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If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen79
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