Pacific Spirit Marine Institute Friday, September 28, 2007
Methyl Bromide has been used by the hundreds of thousands of
tonnes to sterilize soils before crops are planted. It’s
devastating affect on our Ozone layer is well documented. Methyl
Iodide maybe approved as a replacement for Methyl Bromide today
by the EPA. Methyl Iodide was researched as long ago as 50
years. Both compounds are known to be toxins to humans and
animals but, methyl Bromide is thought to be far more
devastating to the ozone. Methyl Iodide has been proven to be
equal to, and in many cases better than, Methyl Bromide in the
control of many detrimental organisms living in the soil. Why,
when this compound seems to be a safer alternative, to the Ozone
layer was Methyl Iodide not being used for the past 30 years?
Why then has the world used Methyl Bromide instead? The nature
of Methyl Iodide causes it to dissipate far faster in the air
than the methyl bromide, a few days rather than several years.
It’s properties cause it to be used in a li