Fact Sheet - EPA RELEASE OF AGGREGATED 2007 METHYL BROMIDE INVENTORY DATA

On April 23, 2008, EPA released data about the size of the aggregate methyl bromide inventory held by U.S. companies at the end of 2007. The data show a continuing decline since 2003, when the Agency began collecting such information, and demonstrate that the United States is managing its domestic inventory appropriately.
The methyl bromide inventory data are as follows:
16,422 metric tons in 2003,
12,994 metric tons in 2004,
9,974 metric tons in 2005,
7,671 metric tons in 2006, and
6,458 metric tons in 2007.

Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting chemical that has been used as a general pesticide across a wide range of agricultural sectors for many years. Under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean Air Act, the United States phased out new production and import of methyl bromide, except for allowable exemptions for users who have no technically and economically feasible alternatives. Methyl bromide needs for these critical uses are met through allowable production under the Montreal Protocol's exemption process as well as the use of existing pre-phaseout inventory held by companies in the United States.
Methyl bromide inventory is held by approximately 35 companies in the U.S.

Additional information on the methyl bromide phaseout can be found at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr.
For further information about this action, contact Jeremy Arling of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs at (202) 343-9055.