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 Atmospheric Chemistry: Methyl Bromide
Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is responsible for 5% to 10% of ozone destruction. It is a very effective pesticide and is used heavily in the U.S. Currently 76,000 tons per year is used worldwide. Two-thirds of that is used in the developed countries of North America and Europe.

The Montreal Protocol does not require a reduction in industrialized countries usage until the year 2001, when the allowable amount will decrease to 25%. Usage is banned completely in industrial countries by 2010 and frozen in developing countries by 2002. In the U.S., production and import are banned by 2001.

Image of a bar graph showing the Annual Methyl Bromide Use. Please have someone assist you with this.

10% of the worldwide use of methyl bromide takes place in California. A statewide ban on the use of methyl bromide was to be implemented on March 1, 1996, but a special session of the legislature extended the deadline. While the use of methyl bromide was being extended in California, groups were pushing for the amendment of the Montreal Protocol in order to speed up the phaseout of methyl bromide.

Since methyl bromide is a very effective pesticide and is used for a wide variety of purposes, scientists are searching for acceptable substitutes. Right now, methyl iodide (CH3I) looks promising. It has a short life and is not thought to be an ozone depletor.

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