Vikane Gas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Vikane Gas - Essay Example fectively destroys insects at all the active stages of life, whereas it has to be administered in higher doses or for longer periods of exposure to kill insect eggs. It is a highly toxic gas, which acts as a central nervous system depressant; and high concentrations can lead to respiratory failure. The odorless, colorless gas has no warning characteristics (Kamrin 1997) hence it contains the irritant chloropicrin as a warning indicator. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the properties, functions, uses, toxic effects, and various other dimensions of Vikane Gas or Sulfuryl Fluoride. The detection methods and treatment for nerve gases will also be examined. Significantly, sulfuryl fluoride is licensed for use in several countries, which is an important consideration in increasing the use of the fumigant in postharvest control technology. It is currently registered as a structural fumigant, â€Å"and may be effective as a general commodity disinfestation treatment and as a quarantine treatment† (Zettler and Arthur 2000, p.581). In food premises storing grains the fumigant is used carefully because of its toxicity. Further, it is used as a quarantine treatment for dried fruits and nuts where control of the tolerant egg stage need not be taken into consideration; as in destroying an infestation of C. pomonella on walnuts and A. transitella on almonds. Sulfuryl fluoride has the lowest boiling point of any fumigant, -55.20C, and hence is in the gaseous state under all practical fumigation conditions. The exposure routes are mainly through inhalation and through the skin. Vikane gas, a Restricted Use Pesticide is in a pressurized condition in a steel cylinder from which it is dispensed through a hose into the interior of the sealed structure. After the elapse of a period of time, when air levels of sulfuryl fluoride have lowered to 1 part per million (ppm) or less, the interior of the structure is aerated. The Hazard Evaluation Division (HED)