Safety Q&A

HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO METHYL BROMIDE GAS?

  • Move to a position with fresh air 25 meters up wind of the gas source, remain calm, avoid any unnecessary movement.

  • Seek urgent medical assistance immediately, even if you have no symptoms and are feeling well.

  • Monitor your condition and if you start to experience any of the symptoms below, seek urgent medical assistance.

  • NOTE: A typical delay in onset of symptoms following exposure combined with an odour threshold (level at which most people can smell it) well-above the level at which toxic effects occur, means that the victim may not realize a harmful exposure is occurring until it is too late.

  • Initial acute effects may include:

    Headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.

  • With sufficient exposure, the following symptoms may occur:

    Slurred speech, blurred vision, temporary blindness, mental confusion, sweating, itching, skin redness, or blisters.

  • More severe symptoms at even higher doses may include:

    Lung swelling; congestion; haemorrhaging of the brain, heart, and spleen; severe kidney damage; and numbness, tremors, and convulsions.

ARE YOU A LICENSED METHYL BROMIDE FUMIGATOR?

What is MEBROM 98/MEBROM 100?

    It is a highly toxic, odorless, and colorless fumigation gas, which can cause serious illness or death.

I found an unattended cylinder. What should I do?

    Evacuate the area to a position at least 25 meters away upwind from the cylinder.

    If you can, make other people in the area aware of the potential danger.

    Call 911 for further direction and assistance.

You have confirmed that you are licensed Methyl Bromide fumigator. The questions and answers below are only meant to be read and followed by licensed Methyl Bromide fumigators.

I suspect a Methyl Bromide cylinder may be leaking. What should I do?

    Vacate the area immediately to a position upwind of the leaking cylinder.

    Provide evacuation warning to other persons in the immediate area, adjoining buildings etc.

    Establish a 25 meters exclusion zone around the cylinder, enlist others to help with this task.

How do I confirm that a cylinder is leaking?

    If SCBA equipment is available and correctly fitted, approach the cylinder you suspect may be leaking and try to locate the source of the leak searching around the valve area and any obvious damage sites on the cylinder for clues (leaks, condensation) or audible clues (hissing sounds).

    If SCBA is not available, or the leak cannot be contained, ask for help from local hazardous material authorities or fire brigade.

    Quickly test for leaks with a gas leak checker calibrated for Methyl Bromide

What should I do if a cylinder is confirmed to be leaking?

    If you encounter MB concentrations of >250 ppm, evacuate the area immediately and maintain the 25 m exclusion zone.

    Correctly fitted SCBA must be worn to approach the leaking cylinder. Try to locate the source of the leak searching around the valve area and any obvious damage sites on the cylinder for visible clues (leaks, condensation) or audible clues (hissing sounds)

    Stem the flow if it can be done safely. If not possible, position the cylinder with the point of emission facing upwards.

    If SCBA is not available, or the leak cannot be contained, ask for help from local hazardous material authorities or fire brigade and contact your methyl bromide supplier.

I have found a cylinder containing Methyl Bromide past the expiration date. What should I do?

    Please notify the distributor whose contact details are displayed on the label attached to this cylinder. If the contact details are not on the cylinder, contact MEBROM at info@mebrom.com or through our contact page.

How can cylinders be safely transported​/handled​/moved​/carried?

    Do not roll cylinders across the floor.

    Single cylinders should be moved with a hand cart.

    Pallets of cylinders should be moved with a forklift or a pallet jack.

    For transport on public motorways, special markings on the vehicle and a driver licensed to transport hazardous goods may be required. Please, check with your local authorities.

Can Methyl Bromide cylinders be discarded with normal trash?

    No, Methyl Bromide cylinders require specialized disposal methods and must not be discarded with normal rubbish, sold for scrap metal, or used for other purposes.

    Contact MEBROM at info@mebrom.com or through our contact page for information on return or disposal.

My question is not answered. Help!

    For general questions, you can get in touch with MEBROM at info@mebrom.com or through our contact page.

    For emergencies, call 911 for assistance.

My local emergency can’t help.

    Call Infotrac: +1-800-535-5053