The forest products industry significantly contributes to Virginia's economy, generating $23 billion annually, employing 109,000 individuals, and providing $345 million to timber landowners. Hardwood log exports are a crucial portion of this economic contribution, with major importers including China, Vietnam, and Canada. Most importing countries have specific requirements to prevent the movement of invasive organisms on the logs imported, of which chemical treatment is common. This study examines the feasibility and implications of transitioning from chemical-based treatments, such as methyl bromide, to a vacuum and steam treatment for hardwood log exports. Our investigation focuses on understanding the barriers to the adoption of this new technology, including industry awareness and perception, regulatory framework challenges, international acceptance, and economic viability. By addressing these areas, we aim to create a comprehensive manual for any company interested in adopting this technology. The manual will include a performance measurement system and a feasibility study to ensure successful implementation. Therefore, this thesis consists of two documents, the first provides background information, a problem statement and methods and results around the investigation of barriers to the adoption of this new treatment and a second document, the proposed manual to assist with implementation. To address the first objective, data were collected through interviews with technology developers, industry experts, and hardwood log importers in China and India. Quantitative data highlighted a 36.7% increase in US hardwood log exports to China in 2023, with species like alder and yellow poplar leading the market. Results indicate that China imports a significantly higher volume of hardwood logs monthly compared to India, highlighting a larger and more consistent demand. Commonly imported species include red and white oak, ash, and walnut. Both countries have strict fumigation requirements, primarily using methyl bromide, underscoring a global reliance on this method despite its environmental concerns. Awareness of alternative treatments such as vacuum and steam is limited, though there is interest in exploring cost-effective and efficient methods. However, adoption is hindered by regulatory approval and the need for proven effectiveness. To facilitate this transition, we created a comprehensive manual for companies to guide them through replacing methyl bromide and other chemical treatments with vacuum and steam technology. This study provides a comprehensive pathway for adopting vacuum and steam technology, addressing technical, regulatory, and economic considerations. The forest products sector can mitigate environmental impact by aligning industry practices with sustainable treatment methods while maintaining international trade relationships. / Master of Science / Virginia's forest industry is a major part of the state's economy, generating $23 billion each year and providing jobs to 109,000 people. Hardwood logs, particularly those exported to countries like China, Vietnam, and Canada, play a significant role in this economic impact. However, these countries require that imported logs be treated to prevent the spread of harmful pests. Traditionally, chemical treatments like methyl bromide have been used, but they pose environmental concerns. Our study explores the possibility of switching to a safer and more environmentally friendly method: vacuum and steam treatment. We looked into the challenges that might come with adopting this new technology, such as how aware the industry is of it, regulatory hurdles, whether international markets would accept it, and whether it's economically feasible. Our goal is to create a helpful guide for companies interested in making this switch, ensuring they have all the information needed to implement the new treatment successfully. To gather insights, we interviewed experts and key players in the industry, including log importers from China and India. We found that while there is interest in exploring new treatments, there are significant challenges, particularly related to getting regulatory approval and proving the effectiveness of the new method. Despite these challenges, our research outlines a clear path for adopting vacuum and steam treatment, which could help the forest products industry reduces its environmental impact while continuing to thrive in international trade.

O tratamento quarentenário visa eliminar ou reduzir o nível de população de pragas que podem estar presentes em alimentos como grãos ou frutas, pois, durante o período de armazenamento, é comum ocorrer a degradação e deterioração de produtos por insetos, o que resulta em muitas perdas pós-colheita. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da radiação gama em sementes de milho-pipoca, e em seu índice de capacidade de expansão (ICE). Os grãos foram infestados com inseto-praga Sitophillus zeamais no Laboratório de Irradiação de Alimentos no IPEN-CNEN/SP, sendo então submetidos a diferentes doses de radiação gama de 0,025; 0,050; 0,075 e 0,100 kGy para fins fitossanitários e doses de 1, 5, 10 e 15 kGy para análise de Índice de Capacidade de Expansão (ICE). As amostras foram irradiadas no irradiador de Cobalto-60, modelo Gammacell 220 no Centro de Tecnologia de Radiação (CTR) IPEN-CNEN/SP. Para os ensaios com insetos, cada tratamento consistiu em 3 repetições com 100 gramas de grãos de milho. As amostras foram acondicionadas e armazenadas a uma temperatura de 25 ± 2°C e umidade relativa de 70 ± 5% e, em seguida, foram realizadas as contagens de insetos emergidos. Para mesurar o ICE, foram utilizados pipoqueira elétrica e micro-ondas. Todas as fases: ovo, larva e pupa revelaram-se sensíveis à radiação gama, sendo a dose de 0,050 kGy suficiente para controlar o surgimento de adultos. Portanto, doses maiores que 0,075 kGy devem ser utilizadas para garantir o tratamento quarentenário do Sitophilus zeamais. A dose de 15 kGy foi a única que apresentou valores de Índice de capacidade de expansão (26,7 mL/g) abaixo do estipulado pela legislação (30 mL/g). Concluiu-se, então, que, para fins de tratamento quarentenário e melhoramento tecnológico, a dose adequada é de 0,1 kGy. / The quarantine treatment aims to eliminate or reduce the level of pest population that can be associated with products such as grains or fruits. Many post-harvest losses in stored products result from the degradation and deterioration caused by insects. Considering this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of gamma radiation on popcorn seeds and on the popping expansion index. The grains were purchased in the retail trade of the city of São Paulo, later infested in the Laboratory of Food Irradiation at IPEN-CNEN/SP, and then submitted to different doses of gamma radiation: 0,025; 0,050; 0,075 and 0,100 kGy for phytosanitary purposes and doses of 1, 5, 10 and 15 kGy for Popping Expansion Index (PEI) analysis. The samples were irradiated in the Cobalt-60 irradiator; model Gammacell 220 with a dose rate of 1.4 kGy/ h at the IPEN-CNEN/SP Radiation Technology Center (CTR). Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates with 100 grams of corn grains. The samples were conditioned and stored at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 70 ± 5%. Then, the counts of emerged insects were carried out. All phases: egg, larva and pupa were sensitive to gamma radiation. A dose of 0.100 kGy was sufficient to control the emerged of adult and should be used to ensure quarantine treatment of Sitophilus zeamais on stored popcorn grains. The 15 kGy dose was the only one that presented values of expansion capacity index (26.7 mL/g) below that stipulated by the Brazilian legislation (30 mL/g). It Was concluded that, for the purpose of quarantine treatment and technological improvement, for popping index the appropriate dose is 0,1 kGy in popcorn seeds.

O tratamento quarentenário visa eliminar ou reduzir o nível de população de pragas que podem estar presentes em alimentos como grãos ou frutas, pois, durante o período de armazenamento, é comum ocorrer a degradação e deterioração de produtos por insetos, o que resulta em muitas perdas pós-colheita. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da radiação gama em sementes de milho-pipoca, e em seu índice de capacidade de expansão (ICE). Os grãos foram infestados com inseto-praga Sitophillus zeamais no Laboratório de Irradiação de Alimentos no IPEN-CNEN/SP, sendo então submetidos a diferentes doses de radiação gama de 0,025; 0,050; 0,075 e 0,100 kGy para fins fitossanitários e doses de 1, 5, 10 e 15 kGy para análise de Índice de Capacidade de Expansão (ICE). As amostras foram irradiadas no irradiador de Cobalto-60, modelo Gammacell 220 no Centro de Tecnologia de Radiação (CTR) IPEN-CNEN/SP. Para os ensaios com insetos, cada tratamento consistiu em 3 repetições com 100 gramas de grãos de milho. As amostras foram acondicionadas e armazenadas a uma temperatura de 25 ± 2°C e umidade relativa de 70 ± 5% e, em seguida, foram realizadas as contagens de insetos emergidos. Para mesurar o ICE, foram utilizados pipoqueira elétrica e micro-ondas. Todas as fases: ovo, larva e pupa revelaram-se sensíveis à radiação gama, sendo a dose de 0,050 kGy suficiente para controlar o surgimento de adultos. Portanto, doses maiores que 0,075 kGy devem ser utilizadas para garantir o tratamento quarentenário do Sitophilus zeamais. A dose de 15 kGy foi a única que apresentou valores de Índice de capacidade de expansão (26,7 mL/g) abaixo do estipulado pela legislação (30 mL/g). Concluiu-se, então, que, para fins de tratamento quarentenário e melhoramento tecnológico, a dose adequada é de 0,1 kGy. / The quarantine treatment aims to eliminate or reduce the level of pest population that can be associated with products such as grains or fruits. Many post-harvest losses in stored products result from the degradation and deterioration caused by insects. Considering this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of gamma radiation on popcorn seeds and on the popping expansion index. The grains were purchased in the retail trade of the city of São Paulo, later infested in the Laboratory of Food Irradiation at IPEN-CNEN/SP, and then submitted to different doses of gamma radiation: 0,025; 0,050; 0,075 and 0,100 kGy for phytosanitary purposes and doses of 1, 5, 10 and 15 kGy for Popping Expansion Index (PEI) analysis. The samples were irradiated in the Cobalt-60 irradiator; model Gammacell 220 with a dose rate of 1.4 kGy/ h at the IPEN-CNEN/SP Radiation Technology Center (CTR). Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates with 100 grams of corn grains. The samples were conditioned and stored at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 70 ± 5%. Then, the counts of emerged insects were carried out. All phases: egg, larva and pupa were sensitive to gamma radiation. A dose of 0.100 kGy was sufficient to control the emerged of adult and should be used to ensure quarantine treatment of Sitophilus zeamais on stored popcorn grains. The 15 kGy dose was the only one that presented values of expansion capacity index (26.7 mL/g) below that stipulated by the Brazilian legislation (30 mL/g). It Was concluded that, for the purpose of quarantine treatment and technological improvement, for popping index the appropriate dose is 0,1 kGy in popcorn seeds.