The dangerous situation of ULV (ultra low volume) & mist blower devices used in space spray applications in our country Turkey

Year 2017, Issue: Issue 1(2) - 3. INTERNATIONAL BIOCIDAL CONGRESS, 35 - 35, 01.02.2017

Osman Nuri Ahmet Kiremitcigil

Abstract

Aim,
Methods and Findings: One of the methods of controlling adult mosquitoes is
“space spray applications”. This method is widely used by municipalities in
Turkey. This fieldwork have been running for 4 years (by using hot wire
anemometer technic) to detect the performances of these devices and the droplet
characteristics of the spray that they produce. This is the first and the only
fieldwork which is being done in our country. Standards of World Health
Organization and Environmental Protection Agency are used along with US Army
Biology and Vector Control Unit methods. It is also compatible with the
procedures of WHOPES 2010/9. 92 ULV (ultra low volume) applicators/cold foggers
and 67 mist blower devices with 5 different brands and models have been tested
with 424 tests. 171 separate tests results of mist blowers gave us average
droplet sizes in; VMD50 = 108,98 micron, VMD90 = 172,93 micron and VMD10 =52,94
micron meter. Result: It is clearly understood that the devices which claimed
to be “appropriate for the ULV applications against adult mosquitoes” are
producing very big droplets that fall down quickly. Because this reason, they
are not suitable! It is seen during the tests that, some problems arise like
back pressure, heating, discharge below standards happen when we tried to reach
a droplet size about VMD50 = 25 micron meter. To spray insecticides with these
devices to people and to other non-target organisms excess amount of toxic
material and causing phytotoxic effects on some plants as well as facing
difficulties in controlling the target vector. These applicators should be
suitable for their own usage purposes and they should be technically capable of
WHO criteria. Maintenance and calibrations of these devices should be done on
regular basis and must be inspected by the health authority.

Keywords: calibration, droplet, mist blower, space
spray, ULV

 

Keywords

The dangerous situation of ULV (ultra low volume) & mist blower devices used in space spray applications in our country Turkey

References

• Osman Nuri Ahmet Kiremitcigil Retired General Manager Of MOH, Independent researcher, ONAK Consultancy, Istanbul