Volatile emissions from Douglas-fir heartwood treated with Vapam? or methylisothiocyanate

Fumigants, which play an important role in arresting and preventing decay of wood exposed to the weather, have recently been used to control decay in building timbers. The possibility exists that chemicals could migrate through the wood and be emitted inside buildings, thus posing a health hazard. Emission rates from blocks of Douglas-fir heartwood, treated with Vapam? or methylisothiocyanate (MIT), were measured by placing the blocks in tanks under a stable air-flow and then analyzing air samples by gas chromatography at regular intervals. Three sulfur compounds were detected: carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and MIT. Emissions from wood treated with MIT were generally higher than those from Vapam-treated wood. Although our results indicated that emissions were detectable for at least 1 year after treatment, levels were extremely low and should not be a problem in storage buildings or in factories where air exchange is high. Fumigant treatment of wood used in tightly sealed buildings that are continually inhabited is not recommended.

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