Sulfuryl fluoride is a pesticide that effectively eliminates drywood termites and is primarily used in Southern California fumigations.
Despite California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the state is the leading emitter of a lesser-known greenhouse gas, sulfuryl fluoride, according to a recent study from Johns Hopkins University.
The study published last week revealed that California emits 60 to 85 percent of sulfuryl fluoride, a gas found in pesticides used to combat termites and other wood-infesting insects.
Most of these emissions originate from Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
Sulfuryl fluoride was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1959 as a replacement for ozone-depleting fumigants and is a common method for eradicating drywood termites, which are prevalent in the region. It is also used in shipping ports to prevent the spread of pests globally.
While the U.S. contributes about 17 percent of global sulfuryl fluoride emissions, California alone accounts for 12 percent, according to the study.
The study’s lead author, Dylan Gaeta, a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins, highlighted the importance of addressing sulfuryl fluoride emissions, given its long-lasting impact on the atmosphere.
The researchers have recommended potential solutions to absorb and neutralize the gas during fumigation processes to mitigate its environmental effects.
The findings have been shared with relevant authorities in California to inform future greenhouse gas reduction strategies in the state.
