From:
Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] A pesticide question to boggle the mind
Date:
Sep 12, 2018 13:09 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
In-Reply-To:
Re: [DCHAS-L] A pesticide question to boggle the mind
First, thanks for the sublimation data which is exactly what I need. Second: Wow, Dan. You said:
I imagine metaldehyde can be procured as the plain vanilla chemical. Of course, the chemical manufacturer is required to provide an SDS and note the primary hazard on the chemical label, but I doubt a pesticide-use labeled product is utilized for this theater affect application. A pesticide label and EPA registration is required for material sold for one or more specific pesticide applications detailed on the pesticide label.
So does this also mean that while the pesticide-use metaldhyde is limited on soil to protect wildlife, crops, and ground water, the film producers can cover the ground in the white stuff if it is used as "snow"?
Oy, veh is mir.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
Safety Consultant: SAG-AFTRA
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Blunk <blunk**At_Symbol_Here**UCSC.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Wed, Sep 12, 2018 4:44 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] A pesticide question to boggle the mind
Monona,
Metaldehyde sublimes (at atmospheric pressure) around 234 F. Sublimation is simply a physical state change, from solid directly to a gas, not a chemical change. It has been noted that decomposition with partial regeneration of acetaldehyde occurs above 176 F.
Since the sublimed gas would immediately enter the relatively cool ambient temperature air, I would suspect very little decomposition of the metaldehyde to occur, but rather the gas would rapidly cool and solid metaldehyde recrystallize. This assumption appears consistent with the analytical work conducted.
I imagine metaldehyde can be procured as the plain vanilla chemical. Of course, the chemical manufacturer is required to provide an SDS and note the primary hazard on the chemical label, but I doubt a pesticide-use labeled product is utilized for this theater affect application. A pesticide label and EPA registration is required for material sold for one or more specific pesticide applications detailed on the pesticide label.
Dan
OMG and then some. See
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/005481-00091-20120214.pdf and scroll down to the part where it says "Metaldehyde is a systemic toxin. There is no antidote. The following instructions are meant for laypeople. There is no home treatment. Exposed individuals and animals should receive emergency care as quickly as possible." And keep on reading from there.
Given that it is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), I'd call in a HazMat response to the film location and tell them to send the manufacturer the bill. And ask a class action lawyer for a referral fee.
Who the heck is selling this pesticide for such egregiously unlawful use?
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