Environmental Groups File Lawsuit Against Toxic Gas Usage: A Catalyst for Climate Crisis

Environmental organizations are taking legal action against the use of a highly toxic gas known as Sulfuryl Fluoride (SF), which has been identified as a significant contributor to climate change. Despite being relatively obscure to the general public, SF is increasingly coming under scrutiny due to its harmful environmental effects.

Since October 2024, the European Union has implemented partial restrictions on SF, prohibiting its use in insect sprays. However, many environmental advocates believe this measure is insufficient. On March 20, 2025, the German organizations Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), the Munich Environmental Institute, and Protect the Planet filed a lawsuit at the Braunschweig Administrative Court, seeking to compel authorities and companies to take more decisive action against the climate impacts of this gas.

According to experts, Sulfuryl Fluoride is considered a significant accelerant of the climate crisis, with its impact estimated to be 4,000 times more detrimental than carbon dioxide over a century. The Munich Environmental Institute reports that the use of SF has increased to the extent that it now surpasses the annual greenhouse gas emissions of domestic air travel within Germany.

The rise in SF usage is paradoxically linked to the climate crisis itself. Sulfuryl Fluoride, marketed under the brand ProFume, is utilized for pest control in wood destined for export. The gas is applied to eliminate pests such as bark beetles before the wood is shipped internationally. If left untreated, these pests could proliferate in the destination countries.

However, the number of trees infested by bark beetles is rising, exacerbated by climate-induced droughts that weaken tree defenses, thereby necessitating the increased application of this harmful gas. Environmental groups argue that this creates a vicious cycle that urgently needs to be addressed.

The US-based company Douglas Products, which markets Sulfuryl Fluoride as ProFume, has committed to reducing emissions of this gas by 50% by 2035. In a statement from June 2024, the company acknowledged the need for emission reductions across all sources due to the global climate crisis, emphasizing that while SF currently cannot be replaced without sacrificing public health benefits, additional protective measures and technological innovations should be explored.

The company also indicated that they are investigating potential filtering technologies for their fumigation processes. However, as of the latest updates, there has been no response from Douglas Products regarding the recent lawsuit filed by the environmental organizations.