Methyl bromide is an odorless, colorless gas which is used as a broad-spectrum pesticide to control insects and other pests in an array of uses including treatment of soil in which edible commodities are grown for human consumption, for the treatment of timber and logs for export purposes, for the fumigation of buildings and structures, and for the treatment of stored product pests in food manufacturing facilities.
It has also been proven to affect the central nervous system of workers and those who live around port areas even at very low concentrations. For the reasons of environmental sustainability, methyl bromide was agreed to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol, with many countries taking a far more proactive approach than others.
Some countries continue to use this archaic substance and have seen an increase in its usage in blatant contravention to their obligations under the Montreal Protocol. Altough even when decomposed, bromide is still a dangerous substance that accumulates in our bodies and the environment.
