The issue regarding the continued use of methyl bromide (MB) produces strong emotions.  There are those that advocate a total ban on all of its uses worldwide.  We think that this position is not realistic since no alternatives were found for many if not most applications of methyl bromide.   The amount being used has shrunk mainly due to curtailments of availability.  Advocates of the continued use of methyl bromide want to be allowed to use as much MB as they feel they need even with reduced direct emissions (for instance using tight tarps on soil applications). 

We strongly recommend that MB be used but only if it is chemically destroyed immediately after use.  Our technology destroys methyl bromide (our data show at least 95% destruction for most applications but can be improved to 99% with field development effort) and thus turns the methyl bromide issue into one of good environmental stewardship on behalf of the user.

If prudent emissions controls of methyl bromide were put forth, both the ozone layer and bystanders would be protected.  Emissions controls are described in the Montreal Protocol and are generally supported by the Clean Air Act.   An outcome of the development of alternatives to methyl  bromide has been the EPA's program for methyl bromide's re-registration as a pesticide.  As part of the EPA's re-registration process, scrubbers and other environmental controls were indentified as a risk mitigation option for the continued use of methyl bromide.  They have been identified, but not considered a critically important option.

Added to this mix is the general public who is unaware that many USDA regulated imports and exports are fumigated with methyl bromide and that over a million lbs per year (USDA Aphis data) of methyl bromide is directly vented to the atmosphere - usually at night.

Why has this situation come to pass and why aren't the methyl bromide suppliers on board with emissions controls?  We are often asked this question and we believe that the EPA could do more in this context to systematically address and solve the methyl bromide dilemma.  Our process is proven and ready to alleviate the global community of unjustifiable harm to human health.