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« Envirohealth News: Claims for antibacterial soap go down the drain | Main | Ask EWG: Is there eco-friendly jewelry? »

September 24, 2007

Phased out pesticide still depletes the ozone layer

Methyl bromide, an organic halogen compound, is a dangerous pesticide used as a soil sterilant, and as general purpose fumigant that kills rats, insects and a variety of pests. It is also one of the pesticides that the United States insists on continuing using, even though all other countries had agreed on phasing it our by January 2005.

Besides killing rats, methyl bromide depletes the ozone layer much faster than some other chemicals. It also poses a danger to the health of humans. For example, according to International Labor Organization, some of this colorless, nonflammable gas’s hazard include dizziness, headache, vomiting, weakness, hallucinations, and temporary loss of vision and loss of speech.

One industry that lobbies hard to keep it on the market is fruit and vegetables growers, that find it cheap and easy to use. However, the continued use of it by the United States mocks the million dollars spend on developing alternatives for developing countries. Learn more about methyl bromide here.

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