Active Ingredient: Methyl Bromide
Human Health Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Documents and Activities

Risk Characterization Documents (RCDs) estimate the nature and likelihood of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to pesticides.

• Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC) Assessment
  • February 2002 – Volume 1: Inhalation Exposure (PDF)
  • February 2003 – Addendum to Volume 1
  • February 2002 – Volume 2: Dietary Exposure, Attachment (PDF)
  • October 2002 – Volume 3: Aggregate Exposure, Appendix C (PDF)
  • 2000 – Peer Review by National Academy of Sciences
• February 2002 – Exposure Assessment Document

Other Documents

• August 2017 – Methyl Bromide, 1,3-Dichloropropene, and Chloropicrin Air Monitoring Results for 2010-2016
• November 2016 – Methyl Bromide, 1,3-Dichloropropene, and Chloropicrin Air Monitoring Results for 2010-2015
• May 2015 – Methyl Bromide, 1,3-Dichloropropene, and Chloropicrin Air Monitoring Results for 2010-2014
• April 2015 – Results From Consultation with Tulare CAC Concerning Variances from the Methyl Bromide Commodity Fumigation Recommendations at a Nut Processing Plant (PDF)
• September 2014 – Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene Air Monitoring Results
• September 2014 – Methyl Bromide Air Monitoring Results for 2013
• March 2014 – Results From Consultation with Stanislaus CAC Concerning Proposed Conversion of a Warehouse into a Fumigation Chamber (PDF)
• July 2013 – Methyl Bromide Air Monitoring Results for 2012
• July 2013 – Treehole Fumigation Information Available from Industrial Hygiene Services (PDF)
• July 2013 – Results From Consultation with Stanislaus CAC Concerning Proposed Construction of Fumigation Chamber (PDF)
• May 2013 – Survey of Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin Air Concentrations during Shanked Field Applications (PDF)
• July 2012 – Methyl Bromide Air Monitoring Results for 2011
• June 2012 – Results from Consultation with San Luis Obispo CAC Concerning Recently Constructed Fumigation Chamber (PDF)
• May 2012 – Results From Consultation with Madera CAC Concerning Proposed Construction of Fumigation Chamber (PDF)
• September 2011 – On-Site Review of an Engineering Control in a Fumigation Facility Designe to Reduce Buffer Zone (PDF)
• September 2010 – Summary of Medical and Industrial Hygiene Information, Methyl Bromide Exposure Associated with Cold Storage Facility near the Port of Long Beach (PDF)
• August 2010 – Recommendations from a Second Workplace Re-Evaluation of Price/Transfer Facility Proposal for a Real-Time Air Monitoring System and a Secondary Wall Enclosed Fumigation Site (PDF)
• January 2010 – Results from Area Monitoring for Airborne Methyl Bromide during Tarpaulin Cutting and Removal from Sites Using Different Tarpaulin Film Formulations and Application Methods (PDF)
• November 2009 – Observations and Recommendations from an Evaluation of a Proposed Negative Pressure Fumigation Facility at Three Rivers Trucking, in the Long Beach Area, Los Angeles County on September 30, 2009 (PDF)
• November 2009 – Observations and Recommendations from an Evaluation of a Proposed Negative Pressure Fumigation Facility in the Long Beach Area, Los Angeles County on September 30, 2009 (PDF)
• November 2009 – Protocol for Collection of Samples during Investigation of Fatalities Suspected to Involve Pesticides (PDF)
• August 2009 – Observations and Recommendations From a Workplace Evaluation of two Fumigation Facilities in the Long Beach Area, Los Angeles County on July 7, 2009 (PDF)
• April 2008 – Summary of Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Ventura County in 2005 and 2006
• April 2008 – Follow Up Concerning the PureAire Methyl Bromide Monitor (PDF)
• September 2007 – Report on Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Ventura County during June, July, and August 2006
  • Appendix A-E
• December 2006 – Results from Air Monitoring at a Strawberry Fumigation Facility in Ventura County (PDF)
• November 2006 – Report on Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Ventura County during August and September 2005
  • Figures, Laboratory Report, Photos
• August 2006 – Results from Air Monitoring of Wellpict Fumigation Facility in Ventura County (PDF)
• October 2005 – Estimation of Methyl Bromide Flux for Siemer Studies TC199.1 and F1.1 and Use of Standard Weather Conditions (PDF)
• March 2004 – Revised Risk Estimates For Kern Country Methyl Bromide Air Monitoring in 2001 (PDF)
• March 2004 – Revised Exposures to Methyl Bromide in Kern County Based on Corrected Data for Summer 2001 Monitoring by ARB (PDF)
• February 2004 – Evaluation of Ambient Air Monitoring Conducted by the Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry in Ventura and Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties in 2002 (PDF)
• February 2004 – Review of Comparison of Methyl Bromide Gas Concentrations in the Tarp Soil Inter-Space: Deep Broadcast Tarped vs. Shallow Broadcast Tarped Fumigation (PDF)
• January 2004 – Effect of Air Resources Board Corrections Received in January 2004 on Calculation of Methyl Bromide Township Cap (PDF)
• September 2003 – Comparison of Methyl Bromide Gas Concentrations in the Tarp Soil Inter-space: Deep Broadcast Tarped vs. Shallow Broadcast Tarped Fumigation (PDF)
• July 2003 – Evaluation of Ambient Air Monitoring and Township-Month Use Pound Distribution of Methyl Bromide for Subchronic Exposure Assessment (PDF)
• July 2003 – Calculation of a Tolerance Interval for a Township Limit on Methyl Bromide Use to Control Subchronic Exposure (PDF)
• June 2003 – Risk of Methyl Bromide Exposure in Ventura and Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties Based on Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry Monitoring in 2002 and Update of Risks for 8-week Exposure from 2001 and 2000 Data (PDF)
• June 2003 – Length of Seasonal Exposure of Methyl Bromide Soil Fumigators (PDF)
• June 2003 – Statistical Analyses to Determine a Use Cap for Limiting Seasonal Ambient Exposure to Methyl Bromide (PDF)
• June 2003 – Exposures to Methyl Bromide in Monterey/Santa Cruz and Ventura Counties Based on the 2002 Monitoring by the Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry (PDF)
• April 2003 – Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry Methyl Bromide Air Monitoring: Ventura, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties July-October 2002
  • Corrections
• June 2002 – Exposures to Methyl Bromide in Kern County Based on Summer 2001 Monitoring by ARB (PDF)
• June 2002 – Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Kern County – Summer 2001
  • Appendices
  • Corrections
• June 2002 – Summary and Analysis of 2001 Ambient Air Monitoring Data for Methyl Bromide (PDF)
  • Report Figures (PDF)
  • Appendix A: Results of Individual Methyl Bromide Air Samples (PDF)
  • Appendix B: Methyl Bromide Exposure and Risk Evaluations (PDF)
  • Appendix C: Analysis of Methyl Bromide Ambient Air Concentrations and Use Data (PDF)
• April 2002 – Revised Exposures to Methyl Bromide Based on the Final Report on the 2001 Monitoring in Oxnard/Camarillo and Santa Maria by the Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry (PDF)
• April 2002 – Methyl Bromide Ambient Air Monitoring in Oxnard/Camarillo and Santa Maria August – October 2001
• March 2002 – Final Report for the 2001 Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene Air Monitoring in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties
  • Appendices
• March 2002 – Exposures to Methyl Bromide in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Based on the Draft Report on Fall 2001 Monitoring by ARB (PDF)
• February 2002 – Exposures to Methyl Bromide Based on 2001 Monitoring in Oxnard/Camarillo and Santa Maria by the Alliance of the Methyl Bromide Industry (PDF)
• January 2002 – Weather Analysis for Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Kern Counties during the Air Resources Board Ambient Air Monitoring Period for Methyl Bromide in Year 2000
• December 2001 – Comparison of Hand-Held Photoionization Detectors to Charcoal Tube & GC-ECD, Dräger Colorimetric Tube, and a Single-Gas Portable Instrument for Detection of Methyl Bromide Residue
• May 2001 – Methyl Bromide Subchronic Exposure – Analysis of Data and Risk Management Options
  • Appendices (PDF)
• April 2001 – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Methyl Bromide Soil Buffer Zones in Maintaining Acute Exposures Below a Reference Air Concentration (PDF)
• March 2001 – Summary of Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide
• February 2001 – Exposures to Methyl Bromide based on ARB 2000 Monitoring in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Kern Counties (PDF)
• January 2001 – Ambient Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichlororpropene in Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties – Fall 2000
• December 2000 – Final Report for the 2000 Methyl Bromide and 1,3-Dichloropropene Air Monitoring in Kern County
• January 2000 – Summary of Off-Site Air Monitoring for Methyl Bromide Field Fumigations (PDF)
• December 1999 – Methyl Bromide Emission Ratio Groupings (PDF)
• September 1999 – Monitoring Results from a Comparison Test of Bedded Tarped Application Equipment
• September 1999 – Responses to Comments from OEHHA (PDF)
• August 1999 – Status of Methyl Bromide Permit Conditions
• July 1999 – Potential Dermal Exposure and Correction of Exposure Estimates (PDF)
• June 1999 – Evaluation of Charcoal Tube and SUMMA Canister Recoveries for Methyl Bromide Air Sampling
  • Executive Summary
• May 1999 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring in Santa Cruz County, First Crest Ranch Application
• November 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Bedded Tarped, High Barrier Film, Shallow Injection Methyl Bromide Application in San Luis Obispo County
• October 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Tarped, High Barrier Film, Shallow Injection Methyl Bromide Application in San Luis Obispo County
  • Addendum
• September 1998 – Monitoring Results from Virtually Impermeable Film and High Density Polyethylene (High Barrier) Tarped, Shallow Injection Methyl Bromide Application in Orange County
• September 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Tarped, Virtually Impermeable Film, Shallow Injection Methyl Bromide Application in Orange County
• August 1998 – Response to DPR Request for Additional Information Regarding Frequency and Duration of Methyl Bromide Fumigations (PDF)
• July 1998 – Results from Seal Beach Application Crew Monitoring for Methyl Bromide Exposure on May 2, 1998 (PDF)
• July 1998 – Results from Irvine Tarpaulin Removal Crew Monitoring for Methyl Bromide Exposure during June 10th and 13th (PDF)
• June 1998 – Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Various Commodities (PDF)
• May 1998 – Monitoring Results From the Tarp Removal of a Very High Barrier Tarp Application in Santa Cruz County
• May 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Nontarped Shallow Broadcast Application in Merced County - Method 4/5
• April 1998 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring Results from a Raised Tarp - Nursery Application in San Diego County
• March 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Deep Untarped Application in Madera County - Method 2
• March 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Shallow Tarped Broadcast Application in Monterey County - Method 4/5
• January 1998 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring Results from a Bedded Tarped Application in Orange County - Method 9.1
• January 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Raised Tarp - Nursery Application in San Luis Obispo County
• January 1998 – Monitoring Results from a Bedded Tarped Applications in Riverside County - Method 10
• December 1997 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring Results from a Raised Tarp - Nursery Application in Santa Barbara County
• October 1997 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring in Santa Cruz County
• September 1997 – Description of Computer Modeling Procedures for Methyl Bromide
• August 1997 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring in Ventura County, First Lamplighter Application (Second 24 Hour)
• August 1997 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring in Ventura County, First Lamplighter Application (First 24 Hour)
• August 1997 – Methyl Bromide Sensitive Site Monitoring, Monterey County
• July 1997 – Monitoring Methyl Bromide Field Fumigations during Winter Months
• March 1997 – Hot Gas Injection Fumigation Study Results (PDF)
• February 1997 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring: Chamber Fumigation, Winters, California
• June 1996 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring Effort to Support a Proposed Three-Hour Aeration Time for Fumigated Cherries (PDF)
• March 1996 – Methyl Bromide Concentrations in Air near Fumigated Single-Family Houses (PDF)
• March 1996 – Methyl Bromide Concentrations in Air Downwind during Aeration of Fumigated Single-Family Houses (PDF)
• November 1995 – Compliance Monitoring at Diamond Walnut (PDF)
• April 1995 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring: Building Fumigation, Yolo County
• February 1995 – Prediction of Methyl Bromide Flux from Area Sources Using the ISCST Model
• December 1994 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fairfield (PDF)
• December 1994 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring: Building Fumigation, Madera County
• August 1994 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring: Building Fumigation, Stanislaus County
• June 1994 – Methyl Bromide Monitoring: Building Fumigation, Sutter County
• May 1993 – Results of Off-Site Air Monitoring during a Methyl Bromide Warehouse Fumigation
• September 1992 – Results of Off-Site Air Monitoring Following Methyl Bromide Chamber Fumigations
• June 1992 – Guidance for Protocol Development for Methyl Bromide Monitoring (PDF)
• May 1992 – Data from Joint Methyl Bromide Study in Los Angeles with SCC Products (PDF)
• September 1989 – Evaluation of Clearing Procedures Following Methyl Bromide and Sulfuryl Fluoride (Vikane) Structural Pest Control Fumigation (PDF)
• September 1987 – ARB Monitoring of Methyl Bromide, 1986
• August 1987 – Evaluation of Chloropicrin as a Warning Agent and Employee Exposure of Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin during Structural Fumigation (PDF)
• August 1986 – Report of a Trip to Europe of Participation in an International Workshop on "Biological Monitoring of Workers Manufacturing, Formulating and Applying Pesticides" and Observation of Use of Methyl Bromide in Soil (PDF)
• April 1986 – Studies of Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin Used as Structural Fumigants in CA 1984 (PDF)
• January 1985 – The Use of Serum Bromide Levels as an Indicator of Methyl Bromide Exposure (PDF)
• August 1984 – Employee Exposure to Methyl Bromide Used for Ground Squirrel Control (PDF)
• July 1984 – Additional Monitoring of the Concentrations of Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin in the Air Downwind from Fields during and After Preplant Soil Fumigations (Shallow Injection) (PDF)
• June 1984 – Additional Monitoring of the Inhalation Exposure of Workers to Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin during Preplant Soil Fumigations (Shallow Injection) in 1983 (PDF)
• June 1984 – Inhalation Exposure of Commodity Handlers to Methyl Bromide in Yolo County, California, October 1983 (PDF)
• February 1984 – A Study of the Inhalation Exposure of Workers to Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin during Preplant Soil Fumigations (Shallow Injection) in 1982 - A Preliminary Report (PDF)
• April 1983 – Inhalation Exposure of Tarpaulin Fumigation Workers to Methyl Bromide in Kern County, California, November 1982 (PDF)
• February 1983 – Monitoring Environmental Levels of Methyl Bromide during Commodity Fumigations (PDF)
• April 1983 – A Study of the Levels of Methyl Bromide and Chloropicrin in the Air Downwind from a Field during and After a Preplant Soil Fumigation (Shallow Injection) - A Preliminary Report (PDF)
• March 1983 – A Study of Inhalation Exposure of Tarpaulin Fumigation Workers to Methyl Bromide in Merced County of California, February 1983 (PDF)
• September 1982 – Occupational Illnesses and Injuries Due to Excess Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide Reported by Physicians in California in 1981 (PDF)
• May 1982 – A Study of the Inhalation Exposure of Workers to Methyl Bromide during Preplant Soil Fumigations (Shallow Injections) in 1980 and 1981 (PDF)
• November 1981 – Pesticide-Related Occupational Illnesses and Injuries to Firemen in California as Reported by Physicians in 1980 (PDF)
• August 1981 – Occupational Illnesses and Injuries Due to Excess Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide Reported by Physicians in California in 1980 (PDF)
• July 1981 – Monitoring Methyl Bromide Levels Around an Almond Warehouse during Fumigation in Sacramento, California, October 1980 (PDF)
• October 1980 – Human Occupational Illnesses Due to Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide Reported by Physicians in California in 1979 (PDF)
• November 1979 – Human Occupational Illnesses Due to Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide Reported by Physicians in California in 1978 (PDF)
• June 1977 – Human Illnesses in Employed Persons Attributed to Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide with Emphasis on Cases Reported by Physicians in California in 1976 (PDF)
• July 1976 – Human Illnesses in Employed Persons Attributed to Exposure to Pesticides Containing Methyl Bromide with Emphasis on Cases Reported by Physicians in CA in 1975 (PDF)
• October 1973 – Exposure of 24 Firemen to Methyl Bromide on October 5, 1973 at Belmont, California (PDF)

RMDs identify pesticide exposures that require mitigation in order to further protect human health.

• January 2010 – Methyl Bromide Regulations Risk Management Decision (PDF)
• September 2009 – Regulatory Target Levels for Occupational Subchronic Exposure to Methyl Bromide (PDF)

• February 2020 – Approved Tarpaulins (PDF)
• July 2017 - Completion of Mitigation (Field Soil Fumigation Exposures) (PDF)
• March 2013 – Recommended Permit Conditions
• March 2013 – Soil Fumigation Buffer Zone Determination
• April 2011 – Methyl Bromide: Changes to Work Hour Limitations (PDF)
• April 2011 – Soil Fumigant Labeling – Stop Work Trigger Demonstration Table (PDF)
• December 2004 – Guidance Manual for Methyl Bromide (in Combination with Chloropicrin) Field Soil Fumigation (PDF)
• May 2003 – Mitigation Measures for Seasonal Exposures of Agricultural Workers to Methyl Bromide during Soil Fumigations (PDF)
• June 2001 – Methyl Bromide Risk Management Plan for Seasonal Community Exposures (PDF)
  • Appendix A: Summary of Air Monitoring (PDF)
  • Appendix B: Summary of Risk Evaluation (PDF)
  • Appendix C: Empirical Relationship between Use and Air Concentration (PDF)
  • Figures Showing Methyl Bromide High-Use Areas
  • Appendix D: Air Resources Board Monitoring Protocol for 2001 (PDF)
• May 2000 – Revised Work Hours for Methyl Bromide Soil Regulations (PDF)
• January 2000 – Recommendations for Methyl Bromide Buffer Zones for Field Fumigations (PDF)
• January 2000 – Recommended Worker Safety Mitigation Measures For Methyl Bromide Soil Fumigation Regulations (PDF)
• June 1995 – California Structural Fumigation Pest Control, Industry Standard Tarpaulin Removal Aeration Plan (PDF)
• December 1977 – Medical Supervision for Employees Exposed to Methyl Bromide (PDF)

Enforcement Letters

• October 2016 – ENF 2016-025 - Methyl Bromide Commodity Fumigation Label Revision
• March 2016 – ENF 2016-05 - Updates to Volume 3, Restricted Materials and Permitting, Pesticides Use Enforcement Programs Standards Compendium, Appendix M: Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Recommended Permit Conditions
• September 2004 – ENF 2004-020 - Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Training Schedule (PDF)
• October 2003 – ENF 2003-037 - Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Potting Soil Piles
• January 2003 – ENF 2003-004 - Emergency Exemption to Use Methyl Bromide to Treat Imported Commodities at Ports of Entry
• December 2001 – ENF 2001-056 - Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Permit Conditions Information Package
• November 2001 – ENF 2001-048 - Update of Suggested Guidelines for Methyl Bromide Commodity Fumigation
• July 2001 – ENF 2001-033 - Emergency Regulations, Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation-Inner Buffer Zone
• April 2001 – ENF 2001-013 - Questions Regarding Implementation of the Changes in the Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Regulations
• December 2000 – ENF 2000-048 - Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Training Schedule
• November 2000 – ENF 2000-045 - Dry Run for Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Training
• September 2000 – ENF 2000-033 - Methyl Bromide-Structural Fumigations/Information Mapping®
• March 2000 – ENF 2000-008 - Questions Regarding Implementation of the Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Regulations

• February 2016 – Pest Management Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
  • Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Strawberry Nurseries (PDF)
• September 2014 – Methyl Bromide In: Encyclopedia of Toxicology
• July 2014 – Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation Application Methods and Equipment (PDF)
• June 2013 – Methyl Bromide Field Fumigation (PDF)
• March 2012 – Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
  • Methyl Bromide Off-Gassing from Chilean Fruit Treatment during Transport and Cold Storage: Investigation, Mitigation and Regulatory Plan (PDF)
  • Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee Meeting Minutes (PDF)
• December 2004 – Fact Sheet On Methyl Bromide Critical Use Exemption Rule For 2005 (PDF)
• November 2003 – Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• September 2003 – About Methyl Bromide
• September 2003 – Setting Methyl Bromide Target Exposure Levels (PDF)
• September 2003 – Pest Management Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
  • Pest Management Advisory Committee Meeting Summary (PDF)
• February 2003 – Workshop on Risk Management Considerations for Methyl Bromide Subchronic Toxicity
  • Agenda (PDF)
  • Background Information
  • Risk Characterization of Subchronic Inhalation Exposure to Methyl Bromide
  • Comments and Responses (PDF), Appendix A (PDF), Appendix B (PDF)
• June 2001 – Decision to Begin Reevaluation of Certain Methyl Bromide Pesticide Products (PDF)
• October 2000 – Identifying Commodity Fumigation Facilities, Nursery Use, and Other Fixed Locations Routinely Using Methyl Bromide (PDF)
• September 2000 – Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for the Control of Soil-Borne Diseases and Pests in California
• September 1995 – Alternatives to Methyl Bromide: Research Needs for California
• July 1994 – Options to Methyl Bromide for the Control of Soil-Borne Diseases and Pests in California with Reference to the Netherlands

• Pesticide Product Database
• Human Health Assessment Branch Memos
• Human Health Assessment Branch Publications, Posters/Abstracts and Presentations
• Worker Health and Safety Reports and Memos
• Environmental Monitoring Branch Publications
  • Environmental Fate Reviews
• Air Monitoring Network
• Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR)
• California Pesticide Illness Query (CalPIQ)
• Environmental Justice (EJ)
• OEHHA Proposition 65 Information
• U.S. EPA Pesticide Chemical Search
• PubChem-Chemical Information