Fumigant: Methyl Bromide

Fumigant: Methyl Bromide

Methyl bromide, or bromomethane (CH₃Br), is a colourless fumigant that has long been used against a wide range of pests in agriculture and international freight transport, and that is odourless at most application concentrations. Its ability to disperse as a gas and to act on many pest groups is a significant advantage, but its high toxicity and ozone-depleting effect mean that its use is tightly restricted.

What is it used for?

Methyl bromide may be an accepted method against target pests in certain quarantine and pre-shipment treatments, in specific export consignments, and on commodities and packaging. The decision to use it must be based on the product label, the national registration, the target pest and the official treatment schedule of the destination country.

The Montreal Protocol and QPS uses

Because methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance, its production and consumption have largely been phased out under the Montreal Protocol. However, QPS uses, meaning quarantine and pre-shipment applications, are handled under a different regulatory framework in defined circumstances. This does not mean the product can be used freely; registration, authorisation and emission reduction remain important.

Why must the treatment be carried out professionally?

Because the gas cannot be detected by smell, it creates a serious exposure risk for workers and for people in the surrounding area. The treatment area must be physically restricted, and gas-tightness, leak control, concentration measurement, suitable respiratory protection and controlled aeration must be managed together. Safe entry can only be approved after measurement has been carried out with appropriate instruments.

Commodity compatibility and treatment success

Methyl bromide is not suitable for every commodity. Some foodstuffs, seeds, chemical substances, metals or sensitive equipment may be adversely affected. Temperature, commodity density, packaging permeability, free air space and gas-tightness all directly affect whether the required concentration can be maintained.

Certification

In export operations, the shipment, container, treatment location, date, fumigant, temperature, exposure period and measurement details shown on the certificate must be accurate and consistent with one another. An incorrect or incomplete document can cause even a technically correct treatment to be rejected.

Planning the process with Atılım Fumigation

Atılım Fumigation assesses each methyl bromide request on the basis of the specific commodity and shipment. The treatment plan is not finalised until availability, the accepted treatment schedule, safety conditions and certification requirements have been confirmed. Where an alternative method would be more suitable, the options are assessed separately.

Sources and currency note

This content package has been prepared on the basis of international and national official sources. Phytosanitary treatments, accepted methods, destination countries and application conditions may change over time. The current requirements for the specific commodity and country must be re-checked before every shipment.

• IPPC - ISPM 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade
• IPPC - ISPM 15 Implementation Resources
• IPPC - ISPM 43: Requirements for the use of fumigation as a phytosanitary measure
• Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - announcement on the Wood Packaging Material Regulation
• Official Gazette - 26 July 2024, issue 32613
• UNEP Ozone Secretariat - Quarantine and Pre-shipment Uses of Methyl Bromide
• US EPA - Methyl Bromide
• Australian DAFF - Seasonal Measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
• New Zealand MPI - Product Import and Export Requirements

Pre-publication editorial note: the service and authorisation statements on the site must be checked one final time against Atılım Fumigation's current permits and operational scope.

Sources: Based on the official resources of the IPPC (ISPM 15, ISPM 43), the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the UNEP Ozone Secretariat, the US EPA, Australia's DAFF and New Zealand's MPI.