Its loss to the seed industry has resulted in changes to cultural practices, with increased reliance on soil steam sterilization, mechanical roguing, and fallow seasons.

[citation needed] Bromomethane was also used as a general-purpose fumigant to kill a variety of pests including rats and insects.

[6] Bromomethane was once used in specialty fire extinguishers, prior to the advent of less toxic halons, as it is electrically non-conductive and leaves no residue.

[citation needed] Bromomethane is readily photolyzed in the atmosphere to release bromine radicals, which are far more destructive to stratospheric ozone than chlorine.

[17] In the United States bromomethane is regulated as a pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA; 7 U.S.C.

[18][19][11] While the Montreal Protocol severely restricted the use of bromomethane internationally, the United States has successfully lobbied for critical-use exemptions.

[20] Critical use exemptions allow the United States to continue using MeBr until it is scheduled to be completely phased out sometime in 2017.

[21][needs update] Chile has phased out the use of bromomethane in traditional agriculture as of 2015, with exemption of the 100% pure formulation that is largely used for quarantine pest control and at pre-shipments of the fruit export industry.

Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration by NIOSH: "The revised IDLH for methyl bromide is 250 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Clarke et al. 1945].

This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers exposed to concentrations above 220 ppm.

[Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for methyl bromide at any detectable concentration.]"

"[26] Expression of toxicity following exposure may involve a latent period of several hours, followed by signs such as nausea, abdominal pain, weakness, confusion, pulmonary edema, and seizures.

Persistent neurological deficits such as asthenia, cognitive impairment, optical atrophy, and paresthesia are frequently present after moderate to severe poisoning.

Blood or urine concentrations of inorganic bromide, a bromomethane metabolite, are useful to confirm a diagnosis of poisoning in hospitalized patients or to assist in the forensic investigation of a case of fatal overdosage.