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Descriptions of Fumigation Methods
Allowed in Nonattainment Areas
Back to Methods Allowed Under Field Fumigant Regulations
Rules in effect beginning in 2008 change how field fumigations are done between May 1 and October 31 in five nonattainment areas (NAAs) that do not meet federal air quality standards for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from pesticides.
Sacramento Metro and South Coast NAAs: From May 1 to October 31, field fumigations limited to specific methods listed in regulation. These are “standardized” methods for which DPR has emission data, and include nearly all methods commonly used. (The emission data will allow DPR to track fumigant emissions in each NAA, as required under the regulations.)
San Joaquin Valley, Southeast Desert, and Ventura NAAs: Fewer application methods are allowed. The regulations require only low-emission methods be used in these NAAs between May and October.
Note: The restrictions apply only to fumigations conducted between May 1 and October 31. Between November 1 and April 30, any field fumigant method previously allowed can be used, anywhere in California. Regulations and permit conditions that already restrict the use of some fumigants still apply.
- List of allowed methods, categorized by active ingredient, for each NAA (PDF, 125 kb)
- How to calculate fumigant VOC emissions
Detailed descriptions of standardized and low-emission methods
- Chloropicrin (PDF, 87 kb)
- Dazomet, also called tetrahydro-3,5-dimethyl-2H-1,3,5--thiadiazine-2-thione (Basamid) (PDF, 39 kb)
- 1,3-Dichloropropene (Telone, Inline) (PDF, 64 kb)
- Metam sodium (Vapam, Sectagon) and metam-potassium (K-Pam) (PDF, 86 kb)
- Methyl bromide (PDF, 73 kb)
- Sodium tetrathiocarbonate (Enzone) (PDF, 29 kb)
For content questions contact:
Randy Segawa
Phone: (916) 324-4137
E-mail: rsegawa@cdpr.ca.gov