Overview of methods to estimate emissions from agricultural fumigants

AGRO 86

David A. Sullivan, sull_env@ix.netcom.com, Sullivan Environmental Consulting, Inc, 1900 Elkin Street, Suite 240, Alexandria, VA 22308
There has been a great deal of technical advancements that have been developed over the past several years in terms of evaluating exposures from agricultural fumigants. This paper summarizes the evolution of methods to estimate emission rates from fumigation applications, including the use of on-field and ambient methods. Normalized data are provided to compare and contrast optional methods based on recent field studies. In addition, the most recent advancements in the modeling of exposures will be described, including the use of the state-of-the-art CALPUFF 6 modeling system, which can be used as a basis to estimate emission rates as a function of time. Comparisons also are provided of the enhancement of the modeled concentrations when using CALPUF 6 as the basis to estimate emission of VOCs as compared to the ISCST3 model in terms of replicating measured concentration fields, and, thereby, promoting more realistic emission estimates for agricultural fumigants.