Fumigation Applications

Fumigant - Methyl Bromide

Methyl Bromide is not an effective fumigant as HCN , Acrylonitrile , Ethylene dibromide. However, it is a multi-purpose fumigant due to many other properties of the fumigant.

Its most prominent feature is its penetrability to the material under normal atmospheric pressure.

And, this gas shall leave the material at the end of fumigation.

Another important property of this fumigant is its less prone in solubility in water. Therefore it is possible to apply it on the live plants.

Methyl bromide has no fire danger since it is not explosive or combustible under normal circumstances.

It may be used in low temperatures due to its low boiling temperature. It may be applied at the low temperatures down to +4°C. However, it is recommended not to apply it under 10 degree for complete success.

Since its smell may not be noticed unless it is concentrated highly, it is mixed with an alerting gas, i.e. 2% chloropicrin.

EFFECTS OF METHYL BROMIDE ON HUMAN AND HEMATOTERMAL ANIMALS

The effect of this medicine on human and other mammalians would change depending on the exposure time. The concentrations which will not cause death suddenly will cause nervousness in the human beings. In higher concentration, it will enter into circulation system via nose and lungs, which may cause death eventually. The symptoms of exposure of such poisonous gas would be seen in 30 minutes to 48 hours depending on the concentration and period of exposure. When its liquid or gas form contacts with human skin, it causes significant blisters on the skin locally.

 Effect on Plant Life

METHYL BROMIDE is one of the fumigants applied safely on large varieties of live plants without any harmful effect thereon.

However, some plant types are sensitive to this fumigant.

Indeed, the phytotoxic effect of Methyl bromide is caused by the chloropicrin containment. The fumigants which do not contain chloropicrin may be used safely for such plants.

Effects on Bugs

Methyl bromide paralyzes the nerve system of the bugs nerve system of the bugs. The toxic effects on bugs may be seen delayed as it is in human. Minimum 24 hours is required for success of fumigation process and reliability of the mortality results in many types of pests.

Therefore, the fumigation process in Methyl bromide is defined as 24 hours.