HALOGEN FUMIGANTS

Examples of Commercial Products and Generic Names

Methyl Bromide

(Dofume, Bromomethan, Terabol, Saibrom, Brom-o-Gas)

Pharmacological Action or Site of Toxicity

CNS depressant
Nephrotoxic
Liver damage

Routes of Absorption

Ingestion
Inhalation
Dermal

WHO Hazard Classification

Class I

Symptoms

Appears after four to twelve hours following inhalation. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, lassitude, weakness, slurring speech and staggering gait. Mental confusion, mania, tremors and epileptiform convulsions.

Bromides cause:

Rapid respiration, pulmonary edema, cyanosis, collapse, coma, areflexia and death due to respiratory or circulatory failure. Late manifestation may include bronchopneumonia, pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure.

Methyl bromide may produce cutaneous blisters and kill via dermal exposure.

Treatment

IN METHYL BROMIDE POISONING, EARLY TREATMENT WITH BAL MAY BE CONSIDERED. GIVE BAL SOON AFTER LIFE THREATENING EXPOSURE.

First remove patient from contaminated area.

Give BAL 3/5 mg/kg q6h for 4-6 doses.

Note: BAL - British Anti Lewisite Compound. (2,3 Dimercapto-1-proponal or dimercaprol).

Remove all contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin - can penetrate ordinary rubber gloves.

Restrain confused and maniacal patients. Diazepam or barbiturates for convulsions.
May require specific therapy for acidosis, pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, (use epinephrine subcutaneously). Respiratory paralysis and/or kidney failure.

Lab Test

No simple test. Only complex laboratory procedures. Blood electrolytes to detect acidosis.

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Pakistan Agricultural Pesticides Association

909-910, Park Avenue, P.E.C.H.S.,
Shahrah-e-Faisal,
Karachi-75400

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