Credit: SciTechDaily.comState discharges more than rest of country combined, brand-new study finds.California, a state understood for its aggressive greenhouse gas decrease policies, is paradoxically the countrys greatest emitter of one: sulfuryl fluoride.As much as 17% of international emissions of this gas, a common pesticide for dealing with termites and other wood-infesting bugs, stem from the United States. The researchers factored in wind speed, direction, and other meteorological variables to trace the chemicals back to their point of origin.The group found 60-85% of sulfuryl fluoride emissions in the U.S. come from California, mainly Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, in spite of California being a nationwide leader in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, including releasing an extensive strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.”The findings were published on April 3 in Communications Earth & & Environment.Sulfuryl Fluoride Usage and Environmental ImpactFirst approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for usage as a pesticide in 1959, sulfuryl fluoride got popularity after nations around the world concurred to phase out more reactive fumigants that were diminishing the ozone layer, the scientists said.Because California has kept comprehensive records of pesticide use, the team was able to attribute the huge bulk, approximately 85 %of the states sulfuryl fluoride emissions, to structural fumigation– the practice of sealing an infested structure with an airtight tent, pumping gas into the camping tent to eliminate the bugs, and afterward venting the gas straight into the atmosphere. Typical concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride in the atmosphere are low; nevertheless, human beings have been emitting the man-made gas for years at a rate much faster than it can breakdown naturally.The Overlooked Greenhouse Gas”Without some form of intervention, sulfuryl fluoride is going to keep accumulating in our environment.
Credit: SciTechDaily.comState releases more than rest of country integrated, brand-new study finds.California, a state known for its aggressive greenhouse gas reduction policies, is ironically the countrys greatest emitter of one: sulfuryl fluoride.As much as 17% of global emissions of this gas, a common pesticide for dealing with termites and other wood-infesting pests, stem from the United States.”The findings were released on April 3 in Communications Earth & & Environment.Sulfuryl Fluoride Usage and Environmental ImpactFirst approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as a pesticide in 1959, sulfuryl fluoride gained popularity after nations around the world agreed to phase out more reactive fumigants that were depleting the ozone layer, the scientists said.Because California has actually kept comprehensive records of pesticide usage, the group was able to attribute the large bulk, roughly 85 %of the states sulfuryl fluoride emissions, to structural fumigation– the practice of sealing an infested structure with an airtight camping tent, pumping gas into the camping tent to eliminate the insects, and later venting the gas directly into the atmosphere. Average concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride in the atmosphere are low; nevertheless, humans have been producing the manufactured gas for decades at a rate quicker than it can breakdown naturally.The Overlooked Greenhouse Gas”Without some type of intervention, sulfuryl fluoride is going to keep accumulating in our atmosphere.
