Acerca de

Methyl bromide is a broad spectrum pesticide that is injected into the soil before a crop is planted, which effectively sterilizes the soil, killing the vast majority of soil organisms. A colorless, odorless gas at room temperature, methyl bromide is normally applied as a liquid under pressure that vaporizes upon release at the point of application.

Atmospheric scientists have concluded that use of methyl bromide contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer.

The use of methyl bromide as a preplant soil treatment is therefore banned in all developed countries effective January 1, 2005, through the US Clean Air Act and by the terms of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international agreement signed by 187 nations.

Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, nations can be granted Critical Use Exemptions if there is not a technically and economically feasible alternative to methyl bromide.

 

The US government has negotiated with the international community for permission to continue using methyl bromide for soil treatment in 2005 at a level greater than levels permitted in 2003 and 2004. The US demand is a source of discontent among most of the 187 nations who are party to the Montreal Protocols.

In the United States, methyl bromide use is mainly on tomatoes, strawberries, tobacco, peppers, grapes, nut and vine crops, golf courses and sod farms.