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Insects Jan 2024Pineapple mealybug, (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a significant pest in pineapple production and a key trade barrier. We explored the potential use of ethyl formate...
Pineapple mealybug, (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a significant pest in pineapple production and a key trade barrier. We explored the potential use of ethyl formate (EF) as a methyl bromide alternative for the postharvest fumigation of in imported pineapples. When treated at 8 °C for 4 h, EF fumigation was effective against with LCt the lethal concentration × time product of EF necessary to achieve 99% mortality of nymphs and adults at 64.2 and 134.8 g h/m, respectively. Sorption trials conducted with 70 g/m EF for 4 h at 8 °C using 7.5, 15 and 30% pineapple loading ratios (/) indicated that loading ratio lower than 30% is necessary to achieve the LCt values required to control . In a scaled up trial using 1 m chamber, EF fumigation with 70 g/m for 4 h at 8 °C with 20% pineapple loading ratio (/) resulted in a complete control of treated. There were no significant differences in hue values, sugar contents, firmness, and weight loss between EF-treated and untreated pineapples. Our results suggest that EF is a promising alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for the postharvest phytosanitary disinfection of in pineapples.
PubMed: 38249030
DOI: 10.3390/insects15010025 -
Environmental Research Oct 2017Our objective was to examine the relationship between residential proximity to agricultural fumigant use and neurodevelopment in 7-year old children.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to examine the relationship between residential proximity to agricultural fumigant use and neurodevelopment in 7-year old children.
METHODS
Participants were living in the agricultural Salinas Valley, California and enrolled in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children Of Salinas (CHAMACOS) study. We administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (4th Edition) to assess cognition and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (2nd Edition) to assess behavior. We estimated agricultural fumigant use within 3, 5 and 8km of residences during pregnancy and from birth to age 7 using California's Pesticide Use Report data. We evaluated the association between prenatal (n = 285) and postnatal (n = 255) residential proximity to agricultural use of methyl bromide, chloropicrin, metam sodium and 1,3-dichloropropene with neurodevelopment.
RESULTS
We observed decreases of 2.6 points (95% Confidence Interval (CI): -5.2, 0.0) and 2.4 points (95% CI: -4.7, -0.2) in Full-Scale intelligence quotient for each ten-fold increase in methyl bromide and chloropicrin use within 8km of the child's residences from birth to 7-years of age, respectively. There were no associations between residential proximity to use of other fumigants and cognition or proximity to use of any fumigant and hyperactivity or attention problems. These findings should be explored in larger studies.
Topics: Attention; California; Child; Female; Fumigation; Humans; Hyperkinesis; Intelligence Tests; Longitudinal Studies; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 28686950
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.06.036 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019Farming and pesticide use have been associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, and while certain organochlorine insecticides and other pesticides are suspected to...
Farming and pesticide use have been associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, and while certain organochlorine insecticides and other pesticides are suspected to influence risk, the role of specific pesticides in the development of systemic autoimmunity is not known. We measured serum antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) by immunofluorescence on Hep-2 cells in 668 male farmers in the study of Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA; 2010-2013), an Agricultural Health Study (AHS) subcohort. We examined ANA in relation to lifetime use of 46 pesticides first reported at AHS enrollment (1993-1997) and updated at intervals through BEEA enrollment. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated after adjusting for age, state, education, season of blood draw, current pesticide use, and correlated pesticides. Having ANA antibodies (3 or 4+ intensity at a 1:80 dilution, 21% of study participants) was associated with a reported history of seeking medical care due to exposure to pesticides (OR 2.15; 95%CI 1.17, 3.95), use of the fumigant methyl bromide (OR 3.16; 95%CI 1.05, 9.5), and use of petroleum oil/distillates (OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.00, 2.25). Using a higher threshold (3 or 4+ at a 1:160 dilution, 9%) ANA positivity was associated with the carbamate insecticide aldicarb (OR 4.82; 95%CI 1.33, 17.5) and greater combined use of four cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides (top tertile of intensity-weighted lifetime days vs. no use; OR 3.20; 95%CI 1.10, 9.27). By contrast, greater use of non-cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides was inversely associated with ANA (1:80 dilution 3 or 4+, OR 0.24; 95%CI 0.08, 0.72). Specific autoantibodies (to extractable nuclear antigens and anti-dsDNA), measured on those with ANA detected at the 1:80 dilution 3 or 4+, were seen in 15 individuals (2%), and were associated with use of two or more cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides and several other pesticides (e.g., carbofuran, ethylene dibromide). These findings suggest that specific pesticide exposures may have long-term effects on ANA prevalence and support the hypothesis that certain organochlorine insecticides may increase the risk of developing systemic autoimmunity.
Topics: Aged; Agriculture; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Autoimmunity; Farmers; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31354699
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01476 -
Insects Dec 2021(Denis and Shiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the main pests that affect the production and export of table grapes in Chile. Because this pest has...
(Denis and Shiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the main pests that affect the production and export of table grapes in Chile. Because this pest has quarantine status, the fruit must be fumigated with methyl bromide, which reduces the fruit's export competitiveness in the destination market. In the present study, to help resolve this issue, six native entomopathogenic fungi were identified through multilocus analysis, including three and three . These fungi were evaluated in the laboratory to control in its pupal stage in a silk cocoon and compared against a biological control product. Formulations with additional carbon sources improved the performance of the fungi. The treatments with outstanding performance contained the fungal strains RGM 2184 and RGM 678. These strains were evaluated in the field during the winter season in two different regions of the country; the strains reached maximum efficacies of 80% and 88%, respectively, at 21 days post first application. Therefore, entomopathogenic fungi can contribute to reducing pupal populations in winter, thereby decreasing the moth population in spring-summer.
PubMed: 35055851
DOI: 10.3390/insects13010008 -
Insects May 2021The khapra beetle, Everts, is defined as one of the most important quarantine pests globally, and fumigation with methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance, is a...
The khapra beetle, Everts, is defined as one of the most important quarantine pests globally, and fumigation with methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance, is a common phytosanitary measure currently used. The modified atmosphere (MA), irradiation, and their combination treatments of . larvae and adults were performed at room temperature (24-26 ℃) to develop an ecofriendly phytosanitary disinfestation measure and to shorten the exposure time and overcome treatment disadvantages of irradiation. Late-stage larvae are determined as the most tolerant stage resulted in large LT values of 32.6 (29.2-37.5) and 38.0 (35.1-41.7) days treated under 1% and 2% O (with N balance) atmosphere, respectively. Ionizing radiation was used to enhance the effect of MA and the mortality was highly significantly affected by all the interaction effects, indicating that the synergistic effects present in all the combined treatments. The synergistic ratios, which is defined as the estimated lethal time for MA treatment (LD, LD, and LD), divided by that of combined treatment, were between 1.47 and 2.47. In the confirmatory tests, no individuals recovered from a sum of 111,366 late-stage larvae treated under 1% O atmosphere for 14- or 15-d after 200 Gy irradiation, which resulted in validating the probit estimations and achieving an efficacy of 99.9973% mortality at 95% confidence level. Therefore, these treatment schedules are recommended to disinfest . infecting commodities for phytosanitary purposes under the warehouse, MA packaging, or in combination with international transportation by train or sea container.
PubMed: 34066268
DOI: 10.3390/insects12050442 -
PloS One 2019Root-knot nematode is an important soil pest in horticulture crops and constrains the protected cultivation development after methyl bromide (MB) was phased out in...
Root-knot nematode is an important soil pest in horticulture crops and constrains the protected cultivation development after methyl bromide (MB) was phased out in China. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) exhibits excellent efficacy against nematodes. Laboratory experiments and field trials were set up to clarify DMDS dose, efficacy, and yield. A dose-response experiment using three methods showed that DMDS presented high efficacy against the nematode Meloidogyne incongnita. The LC50 values of direct fumigation activity in the dessicator method were 0.086 and 0.070 mg L-1 for DMDS and 1,3-D, 29.865 and 18.851 mg L-1 for DMDS and 1,3-D of direct contact activity in the small tube method, 6.438 and 3.061 mg L-1 for DMDS and 1,3-D of soil fumigation activity in the soil fumigation method, respectively. The field trials indicated that DMDS showed an excellent efficacy of 80%-94% on root-knot nematode applied at 10-100 g m-2 on tomato in Tongzhou, Beijing. The crop yields showed no significant difference after applying 10-80 g m-2 DMDS. Results indicate that DMDS applied at 10 g m-2 for controlling root-knot nematode in Beijing is cost effective. In conclusion, DMDS is an excellent soil fumigant that can be used for controlling root-knot nematode and can be an potential novel alternative to MB in China.
Topics: Animals; Antinematodal Agents; China; Disulfides; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Feasibility Studies; Fumigation; Soil; Tylenchoidea
PubMed: 31658285
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224456 -
International Maritime Health 2020During ship transport of organic cargo e.g. soybeans in bulk or textiles in containers, there is a risk of pests damaging the cargo during transport as well as of...
BACKGROUND
During ship transport of organic cargo e.g. soybeans in bulk or textiles in containers, there is a risk of pests damaging the cargo during transport as well as of unwanted global spread of organisms. Consequently, fumigation of the shipped goods is recommended. While aiming to protect the cargo from being damaged by pests during the transport time, fumigation constitutes a risk to the health of seafarers and port workers and even fatal cases are seen. Phosphine gas is increasingly applied for fumigation. Based on former experiences this article aims to describe the risk and to provide recommendations for prevention.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All reports of acute occupational exposures to phosphine in the maritime shipping industry to the Belgian Poison Centre were analysed and compared to reports in a study by ANSES (Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail), which collected data from the French Poison Centres. Data were registered and analysed between the 1st of January 1999 and the 31 of December 2018.
RESULTS
The reported incidents have so far been rather few but seem to have increased over the last years. Symptoms are gastro-intestinal, neurologic and respiratory and often seem "vague" and non-specific and are often difficult to recognise for first responders. In the cases where the aetiology of the incident is known, there often seems to be a lack of clear information about the risk and options for mitigation in workplaces and among the workers. Twelve publications of case reports were included from the literature review that showed the same patterns as found in the registered incident reports.
CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be an increase in incidents of acute poisoning from phosphine worldwide. This increase could be linked to the phasing out of methyl bromide in the Montreal Protocol but may also have other explanations. Strict precautions are needed when using phosphine for fumigation of ship cargoes and containers. Since symptoms are often vague, first-responders need to pay attention to the possible occurrence of acute phosphine intoxication as it may be life threatening. Phosphine intoxication remains a diagnosis nor to underestimate not to miss. Further monitoring and research is needed. Preventive actions are mandatory. It is essential to implement in a strict way the existing legislation of an in-transit fumigation with phosphine. Training of the crew and good communication between the different actors during an in-transit fumigation (ship-owner, captain, fumigator, crew, longshoremen) is the key of a good prevention of accidents.
Topics: Adult; Belgium; France; Humans; Male; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Phosphines; Ships
PubMed: 33001425
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0028 -
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety... Dec 2020The European Commission submitted to the EFSA Panel on Plant Health a Dossier by USDA proposing a systems approach to mitigate the risk of entry of to the EU when...
The European Commission submitted to the EFSA Panel on Plant Health a Dossier by USDA proposing a systems approach to mitigate the risk of entry of to the EU when trading oak logs with bark from the USA. Due to the forthcoming ban of methyl bromide (MB), the Dossier indicates sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as the substitute fumigant for this commodity. After collecting additional evidence from USDA,EU NPPOs, external experts and the published literature, the Panel performed a quantitative assessment on the likelihood of pest freedom for at the point of entry in the EU, comparing the proposed systems approach with those already implemented by Commission Decision 2005/359/EC. The Panel provided also a non-quantitative assessment for all risk reduction options (RROs) proposed to be undertaken in the EU, from the point of entry to processing at the sawmill. The quantitative assessment until the EU point of entry, based on experts' judgement, indicated that: i) the most effective import option remains the current one with MB (95% certainty that between 9,573 and 10,000 containers per 10,000 would be free of ), followed by that with SF (95% certainty that between 8,639 and 10,000 containers per 10,000 would be free of ) and, last, by the other existing option based on delivering white oak logs in certain periods of the year to certain regions of the EU without fumigation (95% certainty, between 7,803 and 10,000 containers per 10,000). RROs proposed to be undertaken in the EU are expected to further reduce the risk of establishment of , should these RROs be regulated, correctly implemented and checked by NPPOs. A wood pathway analysis is needed to quantitatively assess the importance of each measure and to optimise regulatory actions and risk management efforts.
PubMed: 33363644
DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6352 -
Phytopathology Apr 2023Plant pathology plays a critical role in safeguarding plant health, food security, and food safety through science-based solutions to protect plants against recurring...
Plant pathology plays a critical role in safeguarding plant health, food security, and food safety through science-based solutions to protect plants against recurring and emerging diseases. In addition, plant pathology contributed significantly to basic discoveries that have had broad impacts on the life sciences beyond plant pathology. In December 2021, The American Phytopathological Society (APS) conducted a survey among its members and among the readership of its journals to identify and rank key discoveries in plant pathology that have had broad impacts on science and/or practical disease management during the past half century. Based on the responses received, key discoveries that have broadly impacted the life sciences during that period include the Ti plasmid and its mechanism in T-DNA transfer, bacterial ice nucleation, cloning of resistance genes, discovery of viroids, effectors and their mechanisms, pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity, RNA interference and gene silencing, structure and function of genes, transcription activator-like effectors, and type-III secretion system and /. Major advances that significantly impacted practical disease management include the deployment and management of host resistance genes; the application of disease models and forecasting systems; the introduction of modern systemic fungicides and host resistance inducers, along with a better understanding of fungicide resistance mechanisms and management; and the utilization of biological controls and suppressive soils, including the implementation of methyl-bromide alternatives. In this special issue, experts from the pertinent fields review the discovery process, recent progress, and impacts of some of the highest ranked discoveries in each category while also pointing out future directions for new discoveries in fundamental and applied plant pathology.
Topics: Plant Pathology; Plant Diseases; Plants; Bacteria; Disease Management; Plant Immunity; Host-Pathogen Interactions
PubMed: 37116465
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-02-23-0070-KD -
Insects Sep 2019This study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal effects of ethyl formate (EF), methyl bromide (MB), and phosphine (PH) fumigants against PH-susceptible and...
This study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal effects of ethyl formate (EF), methyl bromide (MB), and phosphine (PH) fumigants against PH-susceptible and -resistant strains of the rice weevil (), a major rice pest. The highest lethal concentration time 50 (LCt) values of the PH-susceptible strains were 255.797, 21.104, and 6.171 mg h L for EF, MB, and PH, respectively, at pupal stage. The highest LCt values of the PH-resistant strains were 149.028 and 48.170 mg h L for EF and PH, respectively, at late larval stage, and 43.520 mg h L for MB at pupal stage. In comparison to the susceptible strains, the PH-resistant strain collected in South Korea had a resistance level 4 to 56 times higher. Use of the major quarantine fumigants EF, MB, and PH indicated the existence of PH-resistant rice weevils in South Korea for the first time.
PubMed: 31575082
DOI: 10.3390/insects10100327