INCINERATION OF PESTICIDES CONTAINING PHOSPHORUS

Fenitrothion and malathion are commonly used as pesticides in farming and gardening. Residues of these compounds can be found in wastes from these activities, such as sprayed material and packaging. This report describes experiments carried out to investigate the possibility of destroying these wastes by incineration. The investigations show that combustion of fenitrothion and malathion at low temperatures (<600°C) gives emissions of 1-2% of the amount of pesticide introduced. To insure safe destruction (emission < 100 mg unburned/kg introduced), a temperature above 700°C and a transit time of 3-4 sec are needed. In the case of shorter transit times, the temperature should exceed 800°C.; Fenitrothion and malathion are commonly used as pesticides in farming and gardening. Residues of these compounds can be found in wastes from these activities, such as sprayed material and packaging. This report describes experiments carried out to investigate the possibility of destroying these wastes by incineration. The investigations show that combustion of fenitrothion and malathion at low temperatures gives emissions of 1-2% of the amount of pesticide introduced. To insure safe destruction, a temperature above 700 degree C and a transit time of 3-4 sec are needed. In the case of shorter transit times, the temperature should exceed 800 degree C.