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Chemical Datasheet
METHYL BROMIDE AND NONFLAMMABLE, NONLIQUEFIED COMPRESSED GAS MIXTURE |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 74-83-9
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none
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Methyl bromide
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NFPA 704
General Description
A colorless odorless gas at room temperature and pressure. Readily liquefied by moderate pressure or by cooling to 4.5oC. A poison that causes respiratory distress and neurotoxic effects from which recovery may be slow. Often "stenched" with chloropicrin in use, which adds an irritating chloroform-like odor. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause severe burns and possible absorption of toxic quantities. Mixed with a non-reactive, nonflammable gas to dilute and carry for use as a fumigant. This mixture is then handled as a gas. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the container may rupture violently and rocket.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Even pure methyl bromide is nonflammable over a wide range of concentrations in air. Thus this mixture presents practically no fire hazard. Slightly water soluble (NTP, 1992). Methyl bromide reacts with water to generate hydrobromic acid and methanol but the reaction is so slow that it can be disregarded for most practical purposes.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 123
[Gases - Toxic]:
Some may burn but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 123
[Gases - Toxic]:
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Vapors may be irritating and/or corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
METHYL BROMIDE is incompatible with metals, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene oxide. [Lewis]. Can give flammable products if mixed with potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and other strong bases. Methyl bromide in a steel tank reacted with an aluminum tube (part of the level gauge) producing methyl aluminum bromide. When the latter was subsequently exposed to air, enough heat was produced to ignite the methyl bromide-compressed air mixture above the liquid layer. The ensuing explosion shattered the tank (also incompatible with zinc, magnesium, and alloys)[Chem. Eng. Pro. 58(8). 1962]. A reaction between methyl bromide and dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in an explosion that shattered the apparatus [NFPA 491M. 1991].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Halogenated Organic Compounds
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 123
[Gases - Toxic]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1955 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 123
[Gases - Toxic]:
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not get water inside containers. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 123
[Gases - Toxic]:
Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 123 [Gases - Toxic]:
Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Bromo methane |
74-83-9 |
Vapor |
|
|
>480 |
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|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Methyl bromide |
74-83-9 |
Vapor |
|
|
>480 |
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|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2023)
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN: CAUTION: Exposure of skin to compressed gases may result in freezing of the skin. Treatment for frostbite may be necessary. Remove the victim from the source of contamination. IMMEDIATELY wash affected areas gently with COLD water (and soap, if necessary) while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Dry carefully with clean, soft towels. Call a hospital or poison control center IMMEDIATELY even if no symptoms (such as inflammation or irritation) develop. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected area if advised to do so by a physician.
INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION: This compound is a gas, therefore inhalation is the first route of exposure.
OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)
Physical Properties
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
13.5 %
(NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
14.5 %
(NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature:
999°F
(NTP, 1992)
Melting Point:
-135°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure:
1250 mmHg
at 68°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
3.3
(NTP, 1992)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
1.6755
at 68°F
(NTP, 1992)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
38.41°F
at 760 mmHg
(NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight:
94.94
(NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility:
Slightly soluble
(NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
10.54 eV
[From NPG: Methyl bromide]
(NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH:
250 ppm
; A potential occupational carcinogen. [From NPG: Methyl bromide]
(NIOSH, 2023)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Methyl bromide (74-83-9)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
NR |
940 ppm |
3300 ppm |
30 minutes |
NR |
380 ppm |
1300 ppm |
60 minutes |
NR |
210 ppm |
740 ppm |
4 hours |
NR |
67 ppm |
230 ppm |
8 hours |
NR |
67 ppm |
130 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2023)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
Methyl Bromide (74-83-9)
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NA |
100 ppm |
300 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
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Methyl bromide; (Bromomethane) (74-83-9)
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19 ppm |
210 ppm |
740 ppm |
LEL = 100000 ppm |
(DOE, 2018)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Bromomethane |
74-83-9 |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
313 |
U029 |
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Methyl bromide |
74-83-9 |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
X |
U029 |
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(EPA List of Lists, 2022)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
Chemical Name |
CAS Number |
Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
Methyl Bromide |
74-83-9 |
2500 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
Alternate Chemical Names
- BROM-O-GAS
- BROMOMETHANE
- 1-BROMOMETHANE
- CURAFUME
- DOWFUME MC-2
- DOWFUME MC-33
- EDCO
- EMBAFUME
- HALON 1001
- HALTOX
- ISCOBROME
- MB
- MBX
- MEBR
- METAFUME
- METHOGAS
- METHYL BROMIDE
- METHYL BROMIDE AND NONFLAMMABLE, NONLIQUEFIED COMPRESSED GAS MIXTURE
- METHYL BROMIDE-NONFLAMMABLE, NONLIQUIFIED COMPRESSED GAS MIXTURE, [LIQUID]
- MONOBROMOMETHANE
- PESTMASTER
- PROFUME
- R 40B1
- ROTOX
- TERABOL
- TERR-O-GAS 100
- ZYTOX