METHYL BROMIDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
1 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	1	Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

Colorless highly toxic volatile liquid or a gas. Boiling point 3.56°C (38.41°F). Usually odorless, but has a sweetish chloroform-like odor at high concentrations. Used as an insecticide, a rodenticide, a fumigant, a nematocide, a chemical intermediate and as a fire extinguishing agent. (EPA, 1998)

none

Nonflammable over a wide range of concentrations in air. Slightly soluble in water (about 1.75 g/100 mL of solution at 20°C). Reacts slowly with water to give methyl alcohol and hydrobromic acid. [Kirk-Othmer Vol. 4].

When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of bromides. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)

Methyl bromide is a dangerous cumulative poison with delayed symptoms of central nervous system intoxication that may appear as long as several months after exposure. High concentrations can produce fatal pulmonary edema. Chronic exposure can cause central nervous system depression and kidney injury. It may cause severe and permanent brain damage. Severe neurological signs may appear when there is a sudden exposure to high concentrations following continuous slight exposure. Methyl bromide has practically no odor or irritating effects and therefore no warning, even at hazardous concentrations. (EPA, 1998)

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].

• Halogenated Organic Compounds

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 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 1062 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)

Full protective clothing, including self-contained breathing apparatus, coat, pants, gloves, boots, and bands around legs, arms, and waist should be provided. No skin surface should be exposed. Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk. Fight fire from maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.

Non-flammable in air; burns in oxygen. Use water spray, foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical. (EPA, 1998)

Remove all ignition sources. Ventilate area of spill or leak, stop flow of gas or remove leaking cylinder to open air and repair leak or allow cylinder to empty. If material is in the liquid form, allow it to vaporize. Stay upwind, keep out of low areas. Use water spray to reduce vapors. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methyl bromide:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, the worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide: QUICK DRENCH (LIQUID) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2024)

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				>480	>480	>480
Methyl bromide	74-83-9	Vapor			>480				>480	>480	>480

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(DuPont, 2024)

Warning: Effects may be delayed for hours to days. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Methyl Bromide Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to methyl bromide may be severe and include tremors, convulsions, brain hemorrhage, paralysis, coma, and permanent brain damage. Respiratory effects include cough, tachypnea (rapid respiratory rate), pulmonary edema, and respiratory collapse. Cyanosis (blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes), pallor, ventricular fibrillation, and circulatory collapse may also occur. Lethargy, profound weakness, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, slurring of speech, staggering gait, and blurred or double vision are often found. Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Oliguria (scanty urination), anuria (lack of urine formation), kidney hemorrhage, and kidney failure may occur. Contact with methyl bromide may cause dermatitis (red, inflamed skin) and conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes).

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to methyl bromide may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to methyl bromide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to methyl bromide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure: No information is available. (EPA, 1998)

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