Scientists Aerolizing Pesticides to Replace Methyl Bromide

The National Institute for Food and Agriculture, or NIFA, is working with scientists to convert pesticides into an aerosolized use to replace methyl bromide.

NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy said it’s about replace the harmful chemical with something just as effective but better for the environment.

“The folks at Kansas State University and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service scientists have received funding from us that takes insecticides, traditional insecticides, and they have developed new formulations where they can be aerosolized.”

Scientists believe that methyl bromide is harmful to the ozone layer.

Ramaswamy said the ability to kill these pests is important for the grower, but can also impact the consumer.

“One example; grain bins or maybe it’s in the various companies that process our grain into breakfast cereals or flour or cream of what or cream of rice or whatever we have. You have problems like this.”

NIFA is looking for new proposals for research into replacing methyl bromide. Find out more at NIFA.USDA.gov.