For its trials with the new impermeable films, Tri-Cal has the capability to measure methyl bromide concentrations under the tarp, but expects that California's DPR will monitor the applications on the periphery to ensure emissions are in line with mandated buffer zones. These films are not yet commercially available, but we're testing their permeability and strength under true commercial crop production conditions. In fact, we have cooperative growers who are now trying these films. We hope the films will be commercially available in the fall of 1998. In addition to permeability and strength, he says that Tri-Cal is also studying the glue used to hold VIFs together.
Growers now glue tarps together to cover fields.
We're looking at how this glue works in sealing methyl bromide gas in the soil instead of allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. Durability of the plastic is also vitally important. Storkan says that Tri-Cal is also looking at other chemicals as possible alternatives to methyl bromide. We're investigating the use of chloropicrin, telone, basamid, metam sodium, and methyl bromide. We feel that through our own research and our cooperative research with scientists from federal and state governments and universities, we may find a viable alternative for methyl bromide for some uses on some crops.