Commodity Fumigation License Practice Exam

Which of the following is a potential result of increased moisture during fumigation?

1. Enhanced fumigant effectiveness

2. Reduced risk of residues exceeding legal tolerances

3. Increased potential for residues exceeding legal tolerances

4. Lower humidity levels in the structure

The correct answer is: Increased potential for residues exceeding legal tolerances

In the context of fumigation, increased moisture can significantly impact the effectiveness and safety of the process. When humidity levels rise, the amount of moisture in the air and on surfaces can alter how fumigants behave. Specifically, higher moisture levels can result in a scenario where the fumigants bind to water molecules or react with moisture, leading to an increased likelihood of residues in the treated area. These residues can exceed legal tolerances, which is a crucial consideration for compliance with safety regulations. Regulatory agencies set allowable limits for chemical residues to ensure public health and safety, and if excess moisture causes the fumigant to remain in the environment longer or convert to inactive or harmful breakdown products, it can jeopardize those limits. Therefore, the potential for residues exceeding legal tolerances is a direct consequence of increased moisture during fumigation, making this the correct response to the question.