Chemical name: Methane, bromo-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide, Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

Banned for all uses except for the quarantine purpose and the sterilization of agricultural products in warehouse by the Agrochemical Manufacture act.

Methyl bromide and mixtures containing 1% or more of methyl bromide are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical, except for the case mentioned below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Methyl bromide and mixtures containing 1% or more of methyl bromide are only allowed for manufacture, import and use as a fumigant for sterilization by the sterilization standards of the Quarantine Act.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

Please refer to the above.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Methyl bromide and mixture containing 1% or more of methyl bromide are severely restricted for manufacture, import and use as industrial chemical and pesticide both by the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) and Agrochemicals Management (AMA).

Manufacture, import and use of methyl bromide and mixtures which contain 1% or more of methryl bromide are only allowed to use for a fumigant of sterilizations by the sterilization standards of the Quarantine Act.

The use of methyl bromide is only allowed to use for sterilization of agricultural products according to the AMA

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Methyl bromide is a mutagen and carcinogen and acutely toxic to humans. It is a toxic gas that can cause CNS and renal damage. Methyl bromide is capable of alkylating DNA and genotoxicity studies in nonmammalian systems suggest that this agent is mutagenic.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

It is expected that the regulatory action will significantly reduce the potential risk of those toxic effects to workers and others dealing with the chemical.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Methyl bromide has risk of acute toxic effect on fish and birds.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

It is expected that the regulatory action will significantly reduce the risk due to its acute toxic effect to environmental organisms.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 13/11/2003

Methyl bromide and its mixtures were banned for manufacture, use and import except use for sterilization of agricultural products by MOE's Public Notice no 1991-44 (9 August 1991). The notice was amended several times and final amended notice took into force on 14 November 2003.

1 February 1981 (AMA)