Recently data from a draft study comparing the effectiveness of PhostoxinŽ and ECO2FUMEŽ has been quoted by some in the fumigation industry.
The study; "Fumigation of Insects in Stored Wheat with Phosphine Gas from Cylinders and Aluminum Phosphide Pellets" written by Dr.Thomas W. Phillips, et.al..; is currently under submission to the Journal of Economic Entomology and has not been published.
When reading these quotes, keep the following in mind:
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The data being used to imply better insect control is taken out of context. |
The researchers conclude that both products offer equal insect control.
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The study states that 200ppm (3.6 grams) of ECO2FUMEŽ were compared to "the lowest recommended label rate" of PhostoxinŽ(6.8 grams). Application rates for PhostoxinŽ are recommendations, not requirements. It is perfectly legal and acceptable to use a lower application rate. |
The study should have compared equivalent application rates.
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The study states that "Recirculation is important for distributing phosphine gas... regardless of the formulation used.". Given this statement, why was only the ECO2FUMEŽ recirculated? |
The study should have compared equivalent fumigation methods.
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The study indicates that higher insect mortality rates were achieved with ECO2FUMEŽ after a 24 hour exposure. This fact means little when one studies the fumigant migration within the grain mass. Would the same results have been obtained from the bin treated with PhostoxinŽ if a recirculation system had been used? |
A 24 hour fumigation is illegal with either PhostoxinŽ or ECO2FUMEŽ .
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Seven separate applications of ECO2FUMEŽ were made as opposed to only one PhostoxinŽ application. |
No matter what the fumigant price, labor costs have to be more expensive for seven (7) applications than for one (1).
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The amount of CO2 released into the bin, and later ventilated into the atmosphere when applying ECO2FUMEŽ is never discussed. |
CO2 is a "Green House Gas" which contributes to Global Warming.
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The study speaks of the "inevitable occurrence of leaks in the structure being fumigated." PhostoxinŽ applications do not pressurize the bin, ECO2FUMEŽ does. |
ECO2FUMEŽ application leads to immediate gas loss .
