Methyl Bromide Fumigation

Methyl Bromide Fumigation

Methyl bromide fumigation is one of the quarantine and pre-shipment treatment methods applied to control harmful organisms that may be present in export goods, vehicles, machinery and packaging materials.

The method can also be used to prevent the brown marmorated stink bug, known as BMSB, from being carried to other countries with commercial cargo. Methyl bromide gas is released in a controlled manner into an enclosed, gas-tight treatment space, and the required gas concentration, temperature and exposure period are monitored throughout.

Methyl bromide is a highly effective fumigant. Because it is colourless and odourless, poses risks to human health and is classified as an ozone-depleting substance, it must only be applied by professional teams and only for permitted uses such as quarantine and pre-shipment treatment.

Why Is Methyl Bromide Fumigation Applied?

The brown marmorated stink bug can hide in container doors, vehicle bodies, machinery cavities, wooden crates, gaps between packaging and other hard-to-reach areas. A consignment that looks clean from the outside does not mean the pest is absent.

Because methyl bromide is applied as a gas, it can pass through suitable packaging, cargo voids and machinery compartments to reach the points where the pest may be hiding. When the correct application conditions are met, it provides an effective means of control against the different life stages of BMSB.

This is particularly relevant for shipments to countries with strict biosecurity rules such as Australia, where certain product groups sent from target risk countries may be required to undergo an approved BMSB treatment.

Which Cargoes Can It Be Applied To?

Methyl bromide fumigation can be applied to a range of commercial cargoes, provided that the goods and the packaging are permeable to the gas:

• Export containers
• Agricultural and construction machinery
• Motor vehicles and vehicle parts
• Metal and building materials
• Electrical and mechanical equipment
• Wooden crates and palletised cargo
• Ship holds
• Commercial cargo that can be placed under sheets
• Other high-risk goods assessed under BMSB measures

Not every product is suitable for methyl bromide treatment. The possibility that the fumigant may cause changes in colour, odour, surface or material structure must be assessed. Gas-impermeable packaging can also prevent the fumigant from reaching the whole of the consignment.

For this reason, product suitability, packaging structure, loading arrangement and the current requirements of the destination country must be reviewed together before treatment.

How Is Methyl Bromide Fumigation Carried Out?

A professional methyl bromide treatment consists of preparation, sealing, dosing, gas distribution, monitoring, aeration and certification stages.

1. Shipment and Product Assessment

Before treatment, the type and quantity of the goods, the total volume, the packaging format, the container type, the shipping date and the destination country are assessed.

Whether the product falls within the current BMSB measures and whether it is suitable for methyl bromide treatment are checked. Shipment details such as the container, bill of lading and packing list are included in the treatment plan.

2. Volume and Temperature Checks

The internal volume of the treatment space is calculated accurately so that the required quantity of fumigant can be determined. Ambient and product temperatures are measured to confirm whether the temperature requirements of the treatment schedule are met.

In BMSB treatments, temperature is a key parameter that directly affects the approved dosage and exposure values.

3. Assessing the Suitability of the Cargo and Packaging

There must be sufficient space between the goods for the gas to reach every part of the consignment. Enclosed machinery compartments, drawers and any areas that could block the gas are opened up as far as possible.

Gas-impermeable plastics or fully sealed packaging can prevent the fumigant from reaching the target area. Where necessary, the packaging arrangement is adjusted before treatment to suit the application.

4. Making the Treatment Space Gas-Tight

The container, sheeted area or other enclosed space to be fumigated is inspected. Any openings that could cause gas leakage are identified and sealed with suitable materials.

The area around the treatment space is cordoned off with safety tape and warning signs. Unauthorised persons are prevented from entering the treatment site.

5. Introducing the Fumigant

Methyl bromide is released into the enclosed space in a controlled manner according to the calculated treatment schedule. Suitable circulation equipment is used so that the gas is distributed evenly throughout the space.

The exposure period does not begin automatically when the fumigant is released. It starts only after the required gas concentration has been confirmed at all monitoring points.

6. Measuring Gas Concentration

Throughout the fumigation, gas concentration at different points is monitored with calibrated measuring instruments. The monitoring points help verify whether the fumigant is distributed adequately through the upper, middle and lower sections of the consignment.

Initial, intermediate and final readings are recorded. Failure to achieve the required minimum concentration at any monitoring point may cause the treatment to be considered unsuccessful.

7. Aeration and Gas Clearance

Once the exposure period is complete, the treatment space is aerated in a controlled manner. Before anyone enters the enclosed space or the cargo is released for use, the gas concentration is checked with appropriate measuring instruments.

The area is released for use only after it has been confirmed that a safe entry level has been reached. During aeration, the treatment site must be kept under control and unauthorised persons must be kept away.

8. Certification

The dosage, temperature, exposure period, readings, container details and shipment information for the completed treatment are recorded. For BMSB treatments, the certificate format required by the destination country must be used.

Methyl Bromide Treatment Values for BMSB

Australia's current BMSB measures generally set out two treatment schedules for methyl bromide:

For treatments carried out at a minimum temperature of 10°C with an initial dose of at least 24 grams per cubic metre, lasting no less than 12 hours and less than 24 hours, the minimum final concentration must be 12 grams per cubic metre.

For treatments carried out at a minimum temperature of 10°C with an initial dose of at least 24 grams per cubic metre and lasting 24 hours or longer, the minimum final concentration must be 8 grams per cubic metre.

The concentration must be above 24 grams per cubic metre at all initial monitoring points. If the temperature is below 10°C, continuing the treatment by increasing the dose is not permitted.

Adding further fumigant at the end of the treatment to make up for the loss is also not accepted. If the gas concentration falls below the required minimum level at any stage of the treatment, the treatment is considered unsuccessful.

These values are stated according to the current BMSB rules. The treatment schedule in force in the destination country must be checked before every shipment.

Advantages of Methyl Bromide Fumigation

Carried out on suitable cargo and under the correct conditions, methyl bromide fumigation can offer the following advantages:

• Being a gas, it can penetrate the hard-to-reach parts of a consignment.
• It can be applied to containers and large-volume commercial cargo.
• It can reach the narrow sections of machinery, vehicles and equipment.
• It can be effective against the different life stages of BMSB.
• Temperature, exposure period and gas concentration can be verified by measurement.
• It is one of the BMSB treatment options accepted by Australia.
• The treatment results can be recorded and certified.

To achieve these advantages, the space must be sufficiently gas-tight, the cargo must be stowed in a way that allows gas circulation, and the required concentration must be maintained at all monitoring points.

Why Is Safety Important?

Methyl bromide can pose a serious risk to human health if inhaled or if there is exposure at high concentrations. Because it is colourless and odourless, it cannot be detected by the senses alone.

For this reason, during treatments:

• Appropriate personal protective equipment must be used,
• The work area must be enclosed with safety boundaries,
• Gas leak checks must be carried out,
• Calibrated measuring instruments must be used,
• The area must be aerated in a controlled manner,
• The safe entry level must be verified by measurement,
• The treatment must be carried out only by trained and competent personnel.

Methyl bromide treatment is not a process suitable for domestic or individual use.

Certification in BMSB Fumigation

For cargo covered by BMSB measures and destined for Australia, the certificate issued must comply with the requirements of the current methodology. A certificate generally includes the following information:

• Service provider and registration details
• Certificate number
• Customer details
• Description and quantity of the goods
• Container or shipment reference
• Country of origin and destination country
• Port of loading
• Place and date of treatment
• Initial dose
• Ambient and product temperature
• Exposure period
• Initial, intermediate and final concentrations
• Details of the measuring instrument
• Treatment result and declaration of compliance
• Details of the person responsible for the treatment

It is very important that the information on the certificate matches the bill of lading, packing list, invoice and container number.

Methyl Bromide Fumigation with Atılım Fumigation

Atılım Fumigation provides professional support in assessing export consignments under BMSB measures and determining the appropriate treatment method.

Before treatment, the product, packaging, container, temperature and shipment details are reviewed. For cargo found suitable for methyl bromide treatment, the sealing, fumigant distribution, gas concentration monitoring, aeration and certification stages are carried out under control.

To find out whether your shipment to Australia or New Zealand falls within BMSB measures and to create a treatment plan suited to your cargo, you can contact Atılım Fumigation.

BMSB risk periods, target product groups, treatment values and certification requirements may be updated by the relevant country authorities. The current methodology and import conditions in force must be checked before every treatment.