The Methyl Bromide Issue

Written by international experts in the field, this book sets out the scientific arguments for and against the use of methyl bromide which is both naturally occurring and also a man-made product believed to have played a significant role in the depletion of the ozone layer. Methyl bromide is a widely used fumigant in agriculture, horticulture and the preservation of structural materials. The fate of this natural and man-made chemical is the focus of much fierce debate with scientific, political, social, environmental and economic arguments for and against the production and use of this chemial. This book does not set out to convince the reader of a predetermined viewpoint. Its purpose is to set out the scientific debate covering the major relevant fields including agriculture, atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, environmental sciences, chemistry, biology and toxicology, as well as two chapters on potential alternatives to methyl bromide. The authors who have contributed to this book are all experts who have played pivotal roles in the international debate on methyl bromide.