Topic:
The use of methyl bromide (an ozone depleting gas) as a fumigant to control pests
Introduction
Methyl Bromide, also known as Bromomethane, is an organobromine compound. It is a industrially and biologically produced gas that is colorless, odorless and nonflammable. It has the chemical formula of CH3Br, but it is manufactured by using methanol with hydrogen bromide, giving the formula CH3OH + HBr → CH3Br + H2O. Methyl Bromide is also a broad spectrum pesticide, which means that it is a pesticide that kills many organisms (including the beneficial ones). Additionally, it still has its main use of killing pests. [d]It has a melting point of -93.66°C or -135.59 °F or 179.49 K, and a boiling point of 3.5 °C or 38.2 °F or 276.6 K. [a][b][c] Methyl Bromide is used as for many other properties, including insecticide, a rodenticide, a fumigant, a nematocide, …show more content…
Toxicity of Methyl Bromide
Methyl Bromide is being used in many things, but more importantly, users must understand that is is highly toxic. Studies showed that short-term inhalation of the compound can result in severe injury in the lungs, and long-term inhalation can result in neurological effects in humans. These effects were also found in animals.
One important note is that Methyl Bromide can be very toxic to humans depending on the amount of Methyl Bromide they were being exposed to. At certain concentrations, it can cause neurological symptoms. When the concentration is high enough, the victim will die due to pulmonary injury or circulatory failure (lung failure, cardiac circulatory collapse, peripheral circulatory failure…). [f] [g] The symptoms comes at delayed depending on the concentration of Methyl Bromide, and can vary from 0.5 to 48 hours. In some cases, if the patient is exposed to the liquid directly or strong concentrations of gas, it may cause blisters.
The use of methyl bromide (an ozone depleting gas) as a fumigant to control pests
Introduction
Methyl Bromide, also known as Bromomethane, is an organobromine compound. It is a industrially and biologically produced gas that is colorless, odorless and nonflammable. It has the chemical formula of CH3Br, but it is manufactured by using methanol with hydrogen bromide, giving the formula CH3OH + HBr → CH3Br + H2O. Methyl Bromide is also a broad spectrum pesticide, which means that it is a pesticide that kills many organisms (including the beneficial ones). Additionally, it still has its main use of killing pests. [d]It has a melting point of -93.66°C or -135.59 °F or 179.49 K, and a boiling point of 3.5 °C or 38.2 °F or 276.6 K. [a][b][c] Methyl Bromide is used as for many other properties, including insecticide, a rodenticide, a fumigant, a nematocide, …show more content…
Toxicity of Methyl Bromide
Methyl Bromide is being used in many things, but more importantly, users must understand that is is highly toxic. Studies showed that short-term inhalation of the compound can result in severe injury in the lungs, and long-term inhalation can result in neurological effects in humans. These effects were also found in animals.
One important note is that Methyl Bromide can be very toxic to humans depending on the amount of Methyl Bromide they were being exposed to. At certain concentrations, it can cause neurological symptoms. When the concentration is high enough, the victim will die due to pulmonary injury or circulatory failure (lung failure, cardiac circulatory collapse, peripheral circulatory failure…). [f] [g] The symptoms comes at delayed depending on the concentration of Methyl Bromide, and can vary from 0.5 to 48 hours. In some cases, if the patient is exposed to the liquid directly or strong concentrations of gas, it may cause blisters.