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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Methyl Bromide |
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General Description
Synonyms: Bromomethane
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1680
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 74-83-9
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: PA4900000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1062 123
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Methyl Bromide: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 20 ppm, 80 mg/m3 Ceiling; Skin
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 20 ppm, 80 mg/m3 Ceiling; Skin
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 20 ppm, 80 mg/m3 Ceiling; Skin
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 ppm TWA; Skin; Appendix A4 - Not classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 250 ppm
Potential symptoms: Irritation, eyes, skin, respiratory system; blurred or double vision; slurred speech; dizziness; loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; headache; malaise; hand tremor; confusion; numbness of the arms and legs; paralysis; convulsions; unconsciousness; coughing, chest pain, dyspnea, pulmonary edema; oliguria, anuria, kidney hemorrhage; skin vesiculation (burns and blistering); frostbite, corneal burns (from liquid); (potential occupational carcinogen)
Health Effects: Cumulative nervous system (HE7) and organ damage (HE3); Acute toxicity (HE3) and lung edema (HE11).
Affected organs: Nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys, skin, eyes
Notes: 1) Practically odorless with an odor threshold near, or greater than, the PEL. 2) Convulsions may be resistant to anti-convulsant drug treatment and require prolonged drug-induced coma. 3) Can be absorbed through the skin, and death has occurred by this route. Can also dissolve through ordinary rubber gloves and cause symptoms. 4) Health effects of similar exposures may differ due to genetic differences in the ability to metabolize methyl bromide. 5) Methyl bromide production and importation are being phased out under the Clean Air Act due to concerns about ozone depletion. Target date for 100% reduction is Jan. 1, 2005. Exempted are quarantine, preshipment, and critical agricultural uses.
Date Last Revised: 01/06/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methyl bromide.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methyl bromide.
- EPA Air Toxics Website: Methyl Bromide (Bromomethane). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
- Garnier, R., Rambourg-Schepens, M.O., Muller, A. and Hallier, E.: Glutathione transferase activity and formation of macromolecular adducts in two cases of acute methyl bromide poisoning. Occup. Environ. Med. 53(3): 211-215, 1996.
- Lenhart, S.W. and Gagnon, Y.T.: Health hazard evaluation of methyl bromide soil fumigations. Appl. Occup. Environ. Med. 14(7): 407-412, 1999.
- No authors: Methyl bromide. IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risks Hum. 71(Pt. 2): 721-735, 1999.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl Bromide. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1531-1534.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Two Anasorb 747 Tubes in series (400/200 mg sections) See Note
analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA PV2040)
method classification: Partially Validated
note: The Anasorb tubes should be separated and capped after sampling. Tubes should be refrigerated as soon after sampling as possible and shipped cold to SLTC. NIOSH method 2520 has problems with capacity as the humidity changes.
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 136LA
sampling information: 1 or 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 36 ppm
detection limit: 0.2 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 1 to 6 ppm, 8% for 6 to 18 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-157SB
sampling information: 1, 2 or 4 strokes
upper measurement limit: 80 ppm
detection limit: approximately 0.2 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
Wipe sampling: Wipe with charcoal pad, seal in glass vial for shipment.
* All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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| Revised: 16 June 2004 |
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