Emergency Permit for Blue Diamond Growers to Treat Spent Aluminum and Magnesium Phosphide Pesticide Residues
Summary
SCH Number
2008098203
Public Agency
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Document Title
Emergency Permit for Blue Diamond Growers to Treat Spent Aluminum and Magnesium Phosphide Pesticide Residues
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/16/2008
Document Description
Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) fumigates its nut products with pesticides containing the active ingredients aluminum phosphide and magnesium phosphide. These products come in several physical forms (pellets, pouches, chains, ropes, sachets, etc.) but the active ingredients are similar in each. The fumigation is conducted in enclosed structures such as warehouses, storage bins and silos; these structures are tightly sealed during the fumigation. When the fumigation is complete, the spent pesticide residues are removed from the warehouse, bin or silo.
DTCS determined that, for public safety reasons and to minimize exposure of the BDG employees and the public to the hazardous posed by the partially-spent waste aluminum and magnesium phosphide pesticide residues, it is essential that BDG be able to, on an ongoing basis, immediately place these hazardous wastes into the deactivation treatment process. DTSC is issuing this emergency permit as interim authorization to store and treat these wastes, while a permanent regulatory or statutory means of authorization is identified. Because of the nature of the partially-spent waste residual, it cannot be shipped to another facility for treatment. The partially-spent residuals continually produce phosphine gas. This gas must be allowed to escape, or the gas pressure may build up to dangerous levels. The MSDS for Phostoxin, one of the widely-used of such products, states: "the phosphine [gas], if it is allowed to concentrate in confined area, may be toxic and/or flammable." This characteristic makes the waste residuals unsafe to containerize for offsite shipment.
Contact Information
Name
Jan Smith
Agency Name
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Sacramento
Counties
Sacramento
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The emergency permit provides the required authorization from DTSC for the onsite treatment activities that minimize the potential for fire and explosion hazards. No construction will be required for compliance with this permit. The emergency permit includes control measures in order to ensure that the emergency permit project impacts will be insignificant.
Expeditious management of the pesticide wastes at BDG is an essential part of the overall use of the fumigant. The conditions of the emergency permit will assure that the risks are minimized to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.