Abstract
Emissions of plant protection products (PPP) from covered structures to the air outside
were estimated to support the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the development
of guidance on risk assessments for protected crops. Such emissions are mainly caused by
loss of volatilised PPPs through the vents in the covered structures. The newly developed
VEGA model (Ventilated Emissions from Greenhouse to Air) describes the fate of PPPs
after a spray application inside covered structures. Simulations were carried out for a
multi-span greenhouse and a walk-in tunnel with a tomato or lettuce crop, located in
Southern Europe. Key factors were saturated vapour pressure of the PPP, ventilation rate
of the covered structure, and climate data during the first few days after application.
Exchange rates related to volatilisation, condensation, absorption and degradation can be
important as well. The results indicated that volatilisation losses from covered structures
can be significant. Therefore, the development of specific risk assessment scenarios for
emissions from covered structures to air is advisable.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the International Advances in Pesticide Application, 10-12 January 2012, Wageningen, the Netherlands |
| Editors | P.G. Anderson, P. Balsari, P.I. Carpenter, S.E. Cooper, C.R. Glass, B. Magri, P.C.H. Miller, C. Mountford-Smit, T.H. Robinson, D. Stock, W.A. Taylor, J. van de Zande |
| Place of Publication | Warwick, UK |
| Publisher | The Association of Applied Biologists |
| Pages | 379-386 |
| Volume | 114 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
