Methyl bromide poisoning

Seven cases of methyl bromide poisoning which occurred amongst workers engaged on a fumigation project are described. The methods adopted for investigation of the environmental situation are discussed and the measurement of blood bromide levels on random samples of workers is suggested as an index of the effectiveness of equipment and working methods. Methyl bromide is a highly volatile liquid which disperses rapidly and readily. As a fumigant it ranks amongst the most efficient because of its extremely effective penetrating power and absence of fire or explosion hazard. It is, unfortunately, highly toxic and poisoning occurs readily in cir-cumstances of careless or inadvertent exposure. Before 1940, only 42 cases of methyl bromide poisoning had been reported, mostly in Germany. Twelve of these had been fatal. With the advent of the second World War and the use of methyl bromide as a fire extinguisher in ships, a further 26 cases were reported in the Royal Navy with eight fatalities (Clarke, Roworth, and Holling