From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2001 21:35:39 -0800
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Clean wax for Organic Production?

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping:

..I originally wrote:

At 7/03/01 09:33:00:
> [regarding sun bleaching/purifying wax]
> >Solar wax melters won't work. The glass blocks the UV
> >light needed to photodegradate the wax.

To which Pav replied:

> Have to contradict here.
> UV penetrates glass close to 100%
> Plastics however absorb (therefore do not transmit) UV, and are degraded
by it.

Reply:

I will restate and explain a little further as to why I think this way.
Solar wax melters as used by the beekeeping industry for rendering wax
cappings from extraction, and salvage of wax from old frames doesn't work,
or perhaps I should better say, don't work adequately enough, to be of much
benefit in photodegradation of wax from fluvalinate contamination.

It does not matter whether or not either plastic, safety-glass, or plain
glass is used.

It is true as Pav states that plastics however absorb UV light, and glass
does let UV light go through, but not enough and quick enough for the
desired result of photodegradation of fluvalinate contamination necessary
for control of residues for clean honey. Thus filtering of wax particles is
still required. It is also required for filtering of contaminated propolis
floating particles in honey.

Perhaps we should talk more on photodegradation of fluvalinate and why solar
wax melters as used by industry just don't cut it in my POV.

Pav also replied:

> On a different branch of this same thread, Dee seems to be giving Trevor
the 3rd degree about Aussie
> wax. Gotta pipe up in support of me Oz neighbour (uncharacteristic for a Kiwi...).
> To my knowledge.... there are strict
> regulations as to what chemicals ARE used anyway (no DDT downunder).
> So while the purists will still find fault after interrogation, i would be
very happy to use Aussie wax in my
> hives, and would regard it as 'clean': some would say cleaner than NZ's
(but they'd be wrong of course).

Reply:

To my knowledge, most countries have strict regulations as to what chemicals
ARE used. But basically they are all in the same boat for contract work in
migratory beekeeping as pertains to honeybees and what is done with the wax
afterwards in processing. Basically, no real distinctions have been made to
seperate. However, now it is becoming aparent we need clean sources for
those wishing to go organic and seperate from the generic products sold on
the market. Also a clean source is needed, or a process found and taught to
beekeepers, to decontaminate what is out there before it is found out, that
those needing to change combs due to residue buildup in wax, cannot. After
all, this thread is: Clean wax for Organic Production?

Comments on any of the above? Photodegradation or beeswax.

Chow

Dee A. Lusby