Methyl bromide: formula and instructions for use, which contains

Insecticides and fumigants, which can kill many types of pests, are widely used in agriculture. Consider the physical and chemical properties of methyl bromide, its effect on pests, application technology and safety precautions. In which preparations this substance is active, with what compounds it is combined, how to properly store it.

Physical and chemical properties

Methyl bromide has insecticidal, acaricidal and nematocidal properties, used for fumigation, destroys pests of stocks, industrial wood, seedlings, cuttings and bulbs of plants.

Methyl bromide is a colorless liquid, tasteless and odorless (chloropicrin is added to the gas for determination), dissolves in organic solvents, at t 3.6-4.5 ° C it turns into a gas. Does not ignite in mixture with air.

Under certain conditions - high humidity and a temperature that falls below the boiling point of the substance, methyl bromide turns into a hydrate (crystallizes into a dense white mass). Hydrate at t below 10 °C begins to gradually decompose into gas and ordinary water.

Methyl bromide vapor is heavier than air, capable of penetrating into absorbent materials, but is absorbed by them to a weak extent and freely leaves when aired, remaining only on the surface, in the form of inorganic bromides. Their volume depends on the concentration of the agent and the duration of exposure. Vapors penetrate food, no matter how wet it is.

The substance belongs to the class of monohaloalkanes, easily enters into substitution reactions, reacts with other substances much better than methyl chloride.

Physical properties: boiling point - 3.6-4.5 °C, melting point - 93.7 °C, freezing point - 93 °C, pressure at 20 °C - 2 atm., dissolves in water at a concentration of 1.83 g/L.

Action on pests

Methyl bromide is highly toxic to insects and mites, effectively destroying them when infecting products, boxes and transport. Substance on action belongs to nerve paralytic. It interacts with enzymes, disrupts redox reactions and carbohydrate metabolism. It acts not only on larvae and adults, but also on pest eggs covered with shells.

Toxic effect, although strong, but slowly manifests itself, the effectiveness of the treatment is fully visible only after a day. Insect resistance to the drug does not appear. If the concentration of the substance is below the lethal level, most of the insects will not die, but will be in a stupor. Some varieties of mealybugs and thrips are resistant to methyl bromide, but with increasing concentration and exposure, they also die.

Preparations containing methyl bromide (methyl bromide)

The compound contains the drug "Metabrom-RFO" in the amount of 980 g per liter. This is a gas that is used as a fumigant.

Application technology

Fumigant is used to treat grain, animal feed from pests that spoil stocks. Also against pathogens that spoil products in storage. For processing wood, planting material, fruits, grapes, legumes, pomegranates, tomatoes, cucumbers, copra, citrus fruits and potatoes. They also process containers that are sent for export.

Liquid methyl bromide is toxic to green plants, impairs seed germination, especially if they are wet and the concentration of the substance is increased. It has a toxic effect on seedlings of stone fruits and bulbs, corn, barley and, most of all, on wheat.

If methyl bromide is applied in the form of a gas and in normal concentrations, it does not form burns on plant leaves at t up to 32 ° C, vegetables and fruits, bulbs, tubers, strawberry mustaches and cuttings do not damage.Residues of gas from products evaporate quickly. To reduce the likelihood of gas damage to planting material, before processing, the floor of the room must be moistened with water, cuttings and seedlings should be sprayed, the seedlings should be moistened with soil on the roots so that they are not damaged.

Safety when using

Methyl bromide is a highly toxic compound for animals and humans (class 1). In the body of the victim, it changes the composition of the blood and the work of the central nervous system, the processes leading to the formation and breakdown of hydrocarbons, greatly reduces the amount of glycogen in the liver.

The toxic effect is explained by the formation of methanol, as well as the products of its processing - formaldehyde, formic acid, bromides are formed.

The substance is irritating to mucous membranes; if it gets on the skin, immediately wash it off with water. First of all, it affects the central nervous system, kidneys and lungs.Signs of poisoning at work: weakness, pain in the head, nausea, tremors, unsteady gait, severe visual impairment, reddening of the face, impaired pulse, low blood pressure. After work, they may disappear, but after 2-12 hours, or even within 1-2 days, begin again. It is necessary to work with the substance in protective clothing, but loosely attached to the body, in a gas mask.

Compatibility with other substances

Methyl bromide is not recommended to be mixed with any gases or to be used concomitantly with liquid or solid preparations for treatment.

Storage rules

In undamaged metal cylinders, gas can be stored for a very long time, almost indefinitely. Store the containers in special rooms for pesticides. You can keep fertilizers in them, it is forbidden to put food, feed, household items.

Methyl bromide is an effective fumigant for effective control of insects, mites and nematodes. It is used for processing grain, dry and fresh fruits, berries, animal feed, seedlings and cuttings, tubers, as well as wood and boxes. The substance is toxic not only for pests, but also for humans, it is necessary to work with it extremely carefully and only with protective equipment and clothing.

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