Fumigated shipping containers – Clearance of methyl bromide (by fumigators)

Shipping containers that are fumigated and ventilated may still contain a significant quantity of methyl bromide (MeBr) due to poor venting procedures, desorption or entrapment of the gas in packaging. This may present a risk to persons involved in unpacking these containers.

Methyl bromide affects the central nervous system. Depending on the level of exposure, inhalation of MeBr may cause dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, blurred vision, numbness, tremors and speech defects. Exposure to very high concentrations may cause pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) as MeBr is an irritant. Chronic exposures may also affect various other organs. The national exposure standard for MeBr is five parts per million (ppm) averaged over eight hours