The thermal decomposition properties of the active ingredient of 16 pesticides have been theoretically examined. Experimental studies on 5 pesticide related materials were also conducted under controlled laboratory testing. Experimental studies of the high-temperature oxidation and pyrolysis of four key pesticide materials including the identification and quantification of products of incomplete combustion (PICs) were conducted. The four pesticides were: Aldicarb, Phorate, Atrazine, and Alachlor. A fifth material, a polyethylene blend bag which is used as an Atrazine container, was also examined. The examination of the incineration ranking among the 16 subject pesticides indicated that they should be considered thermally fragile. However, each pesticide in the controlled laboratory testing decomposed to yield a large number of reaction intermediates. More intermediates were consistently produced under pyrolytic conditions and were decomposed by 700 deg C. Some persisted at the maximum testing temperature, 1000 deg C. It appears that these materials may be amenable to properly controlled, high-temperature incineration.

"July 1993." "EPA/600/R-93/102." Caption title. Microfiche.