The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the label for Arkema’s Paladin soil fumigant blend of Paladin and chloropicrin. According to the company, users of Paladin PIC-21 no longer need to reference two labels to determine the appropriate action to comply with both labels. The new label will provide clearly stated restrictions on things such as personal protective equipment, buffer zones, worker exposure issues and stop work triggers.

“Arkema has worked five years on the development of the Paladin PIC-21 fumigant blend, which has consistently demonstrated equal to better yields as compared to methyl bromide,” said Cathy Fleming-Wimer, market development agronomist for Paladin. “A system using Paladin PIC-21 with a topical herbicide has shown to be a methyl bromide replacement, controlling weeds, pathogens, and nematodes in fruit, vegetable, and nursery crop production.”

The company says the new label will provide advantages to both distributors and growers. Distributors can now store inventory of the Paladin PIC-21 fumigant blend. Growers now need to keep only one label on file with their fumigant management plan instead of two labels.

State labels are in the approval process and are expected to be available shortly.