methyl bromide
Học thuậtThân thiện
A scientist carefully handles a sealed container of methyl bromide in a laboratory.
Definition
Noun: A colorless, toxic compound (CH₃Br) that exists as a gas or volatile liquid at room temperature, historically used extensively as a fumigant pesticide to control rodents, insects, nematodes, and weeds in agriculture and for soil and commodity quarantine treatment.
Usage
- As a subject: Methyl bromide is highly effective but ozone-depleting.
- As an object: Many countries have phased out the use of methyl bromide.
- With modifiers: Agricultural methyl bromide use has been restricted under the Montreal Protocol.
Examples
- The shipment was fumigated with methyl bromide before export.
- Due to its toxicity, handlers of methyl bromide require protective equipment.
- The global phase-out of methyl bromide began in 2005.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Regulatory Context: In environmental science and international treaties, "methyl bromide" specifically refers to an ozone-depleting substance controlled under the Montreal Protocol.
- Example: The party reported a critical-use exemption for methyl bromide.
Variants and Related Words
- Bromomethane: The systematic IUPAC name for the same chemical compound (CH₃Br).
- Fumigant: A general term for a chemical pesticide that vaporizes to kill pests; methyl bromide is a type of fumigant.
Synonyms
- Bromomethane (primary technical synonym)
- CH₃Br (chemical formula)
Notes on Meaning
This term refers strictly to the specific chemical compound. Its primary historical meaning is as a broad-spectrum fumigant. In contemporary contexts, its meaning is heavily associated with its environmental impact and regulatory status as a phased-out substance.
A scientist carefully handles a sealed container of methyl bromide in a laboratory.
Noun
- a poisonous gas or liquid (CH3Br) used to fumigate rodents, worms, etc.