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Methyl Bromide

General Information

• Beyond Pesticides Structural Fumigants: Sulfuryl Fluoride and Methyl Bromide ChemWatch Factsheet
• Methyl Bromide product names
• Chemical Class: Inorganic Fungicide, Insecticide, Rodenticide
• Uses: broad-spectrum fumigant chemical used as an acaricide, antimicrobial, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, nematicide, and vertebrate control agent
• Alternatives: Agricultural
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health Effects

• EPA Acute Toxicity Class: I (highly toxic)
• Cancer: Yes (7)
• Endocrine Disruption: Yes (36)
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Yes (7)
• Kidney/ Liver Damage: Not documented
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Yes (7)
• Birth/ Developmental Defects: Yes (7)

Environmental Effects

• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Detected in Streams: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Not documented
• Toxic to Fish/ Aquatic Organisms: Yes (8)
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented
• Toxic to Mammals: Not documented
• Long-Range Transport: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Information:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) amended 5/2009
  • Because MeBr depletes the stratospheric ozone layer, it was to be phased-out in 2005, however, critical use exemptions allow for its continued use.
• Supporting information:
  • Extoxnet Methyl Bromide Factsheet (Extension Toxicology Network)
  • PAN Pesticides Database: Methyl Bromide (Pesticide Action Network)
  • Scorecard Methyl Bromide Factsheet (The Pollution Information Site)
• Key Studies:
  • Top 15 Farmworker Poison