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SELECTED ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE IN THE POSTHARVEST AND QUARANTINE TREATMENT OF ALMONDS AND WALNUTS: AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
Author(s) -
AEGERTER ANTHONI F.,
FOLWELL RAYMOND J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of food processing and preservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1745-4549
pISSN - 0145-8892
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-4549.2001.tb00469.x
Subject(s) - quarantine , bromide , postharvest , montreal protocol , phosphine , modified atmosphere , chemistry , environmental science , horticulture , toxicology , business , food science , organic chemistry , shelf life , ozone , biology , ecology , ozone layer , catalysis
Methyl bromide is a highly effective fumigant used in the postharvest and quarantine treatment of tree nuts. There will be a complete phase out in the United States of America (U.S.) of methyl bromide by 2005 according to The Montreal Protocol of 1991 with the exception of preshipment and quarantine uses as stated in the 1998 Clean Air Act. This study analyzed alternative treatment scenarios. The alternatives considered were phosphine, irradiation, and controlled atmosphere storage. Costs for each scenario were developed. Cost increases with irradiation ranged from two to fourteen times the benchmark costs for methyl bromide. Controlled atmosphere storage for both commodities had cost increases ranging from 174% to 256% over methyl bromide costs. Phosphine was used only to treat almonds. Phosphine application costs were 108% and 117% above the benchmark costs for methyl bromide.