Methyl bromide

Three Cases of Acute Methyl Bromide Poisoning in a Seedling Farm Family.

“…In support of this assumption, when bromide ion analysis 11) was conducted immediately in the biological samples obtained from the patients, all the three patients were found to have plasma bromide ion concentrations about 20 to 30 times higher (Patient I: 72.9 µg/ml, Patient II: 67.8 µg/ml, and Patient III: 91.5 µg/ml) than normal (3.7 ± 1.5 µg/ml) 11) . Moreover, the latency period of at least one day after the exposure (November 14) until the development of symptoms (dawn of November 16) 1,2,9) , and the presence of neurological symptoms, including convulsions [13][14][15][16] , are consistent with the characteristics of methyl bromide poisoning reported to date 1,8,10,17) . Thus, severe acute methyl bromide poisoning was diagnosed.…”

“…The initial symptoms of methyl bromide poisoning usually consist of such neurological symptoms as vomiting and convulsions, but they are often non-specific 1,5,9,10) . It is therefore difficult to identify the causal relationship between the symptoms and methyl bromide poisoning without information on the use of or exposure to methyl bromide fumigators, or the patient's occupation.…”

A case of erectile dysfunction associated with chronic methyl bromide intoxication

“…The methyl bromide toxicity results from alkylation of crucial sulfhydryl-containing enzymes and proteins in mammalian tissue and neurotoxicity mediated by glutathione depletion. 6 Other mechanisms of neurotoxicity are suggested by Garnier et al, 7 who noted that glutathione transferase activity can vary among ethnic groups in correspondence to their genotype. The transformation of methyl glutathione into toxic metabolites, methanethiol and formaldehyde, is responsible for the neurotoxicity.…”

HETA 93-0012-2711, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Raleigh, North Carolina.

“…(8,23,(26)(27)(28)(29) One author reviewed reports published between 1953 and 1981 describing 60 fatalities and 301 cases of systemic poisoning related to fumigant uses of methyl bromide. (26) A report was also published containing descriptions of six severe intoxications and four fatalities that occurred in California between 1957 and 1966 in the food processing industry. The products handled were nuts, fruits, and grains.…”

“…This recommendation agrees with those of others who have reported that chloropicrin may not be detected or be present even though toxic levels of methyl bromide are present. (8,20,26) • When evaluating other soil fumigants to replace methyl bromide, an important consideration should be the health risks associated with worker exposures to potential replacements and any warning agents. …”