Phosphine meter is a highly toxic and extremely flammable gas that is used in the fumigation of grain, tobacco, and other agricultural products. It is a strong respiratory irritant and also causes chemical burns. If exposed to phosphine, a person should immediately rinse the eyes and skin with large amounts of water. The skin should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water, and the patient should be moved to an area where emergency medical treatment can be provided. There is no antidote for phosphine toxicity.
Within integrated pest management options for storing products, fumigation treatments are an effective way to control post-harvest insect infestations. Monitoring the concentration of fumigant gases in treated products can help confirm that the gas has reached sufficient levels to achieve adequate insect control. However, manual measurements through air sample lines and a hand-held meter can be time consuming and labor intensive.
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A wireless phosphine meter, which is equipped with sensors that detect phosphine, can be programmed to automatically record data in real-time. This data is then available for download to a computer through the device’s USB interface. The phosphine meter can also be manually monitored through its dot matrix display, which displays a number of important operational settings, including real-time phosphine concentration readings and battery power status.
A small-scale test was conducted to evaluate the repeatability and accuracy of four wireless phosphine detectors compared to a hand-held phosphine meter during two fumigation trials at the USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan, Kansas. The phosphine concentrations were measured in barrels that were half filled with hard red winter wheat. The barrels were sealed and fitted with inlet plastic airlines and valves to allow the inflow of fresh air and the exhausting of phosphine gas during the fumigation.