Characterization of emissions from burning methyl-bromide-treated crop biomass

Alfalfa hay that was grown on a field treated with a methyl bromide and chloropicrin pesticide (at a 98/2 weight ratio) resulted in animal sickness, posing a disposal issue for the harvested feed. In consideration of disposal options, emissions and residues from burning treated and untreated alfalfa hay were sampled and analyzed to provide data for an assessment of potential health and environmental effects. Treated alfalfa hay was tested in parallel with untreated alfalfa in a controlled laboratory combustion facility. Results showed that about half of the bromine and chlorine in the treated hay was emitted and the remaining was retained in the ash. The alfalfa hay burned poorly, with modified combustion efficiencies, the ratio of CO₂ to CO + CO₂, below 0.89. The emission factor for PM_2.5 was statistically higher for the untreated versus treated alfalfa but the PAHs were doubled in the treated alfalfa. The treated alfalfa had significantly more emissions of polychorinated dibenzodioxin/dibenzofuran than the untreated alfalfa by a factor of 10, but less polybrominated dibenzodioxin/dibenzofuran. The high Br concentration in the treated alfalfa biomass may have resulted in formation and emission of mixed halogen compounds which were unable to be analyzed for lack of standards. Comparison of volatile organic compound emissions were unremarkable with the exception of MeBr where emissions from the treated alfalfa were over 300 times higher than the untreated biomass. The potential complications due to emissions and permitting of an open burn or contained incinerator left options for landfilling and feedstock blending for handling the treated alfalfa. Implications: This paper illustrates the issues agricultural managers must deal with concerning the combustive disposal of contaminated crops. A method is presented whereby combustion of contaminated crops can be assessed for their suitability for disposal by open air or enclosed burning.