Dow seeks US EUP for sulfuryl fluoride

Dow AgroSciences has applied for a US experimental use permit (EUP) to test its fumigant, sulfuryl fluoride, as a soil treatment prior to planting tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits and squash. It aims to apply 32,435 lbs (14.6 tonnes) of the active ingredient on 65 acres (26.3 ha) in California, Florida, Georgia and Texas. The EUP would run from August 1st 2009 until August 1st 2012. Sulfuryl fluoride has been used as a structural fumigant for over 40 years. Dow received the first food-use approvals for the ai, as ProFume, for food storage and processing facilities in 2004 ( Agrow 441, p 22). It is being developed as an alternative to methyl bromide.