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4 ;XTOXNET PIP - METHYL BROMIDE Page 1 of 4 EXTOXNET Extension Toxicology Network Pesticide Information Profiles A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University. Major support and funding was provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program. EXTOXNET primary files maintained and archived at Oregon State University Revised June 1996 Methyl bromide; Bromomethane Tradenames: Trade or common names of methyl bromide containing products include: Brom-o-Gas, Bromomethane, Celfume, Embafume, HaItox, MB, McBr, Methogas, Profume, Terr-o-Gas, and Zytox. Regulatory Status: Methyl bromide is a highly toxic compound in EPA Toxicity Class I. Labels for products containing it must bear the Signal Word DANGER. Methyl bromide is a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP). RUPs may ' be purchased and used only by certified applicators. E EPA has expressed concerns and proposed restrictions on methyl bromide due to concerns over its potential to destroy ozone. Ozone-depleting chemicals fall within the scope of the Clean Air Act. Unlike FIFRA, the Clean Air Act does not contain a riskibenefit balancing process that would allow retention of essential or high benefit uses, nor does the listing and phase-out of ozone depleters depend on the availability of alternative products. Chemical Class: Not Available if Introduction: Methyl bromide is chiefly used as a gas soil fumigant against insects, termites, rodents, weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne diseases. It has been used to fumigate agricultural commodities, grain elevators, mills,. ships, clothes, furniture, and greenhouses. About 70% of methyl bromide produced in the U.S. goes into pesticidal formulations. Formulation: Methyl bromide is chiefly used as a gas soil fumigant against insects, termites, rodents, weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne diseases. Toxicological Effects: . Acute toxicity: Since bromomethane is a gas at ambient temperatures, the most significant route of exposure is inhalation [188]. The reported 1-hour inhalation LC50 in rats is 4.5 mg/L, and the 11-hour LC50 in rabbits is 8 mg/L [8]. Inhalation of 6 mg/L for 10 to 20 hours, or 30 mg/L for 1.5 hours is lethal to humans [8]. The compound is readily absorbed through the lung alveoli (gas exchange regions). Methyl bromide can be highly irritating to the mucous membranes of the eyes, airways, and skin with contact [17]. About 1000 human poisoning incidents caused by methyl bromide exposure have been documented, with effects ranging from skin and eye irritation to death [17]. Most fatalities and injuries occurred when methyl bromide was used as a fumigant. The lowest inhalation level found to cause toxicity in humans is 0.14 mg/L in air [17]. A typical delay in onset of symptoms following exposure combined with an odor threshold (level at which most people can smell it)well-above the level at which toxic effects occur, means that the victim may not realize a harmful