Methyl Bromide Field Operation Guidance (MB FOG) Report
On December 9-11, 2013, a University of Florida (UF) house was fumigated with methyl bromide (MB). The fumigation was done to better understand the use of MB in an operational environment, specifically its ability to inactivate Bacillus anthracis (Ba) contamination in structures. MB was selected because:
- it has shown to be efficacious in the inactivation of Ba spores during laboratory testing;
- MB is less corrosive than most alternative fumigants; and
- MB can be captured on activated carbon, mitigating the potential ozone depleting effects.
The study was conducted by:
- the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence Management and Advisory Division;
- the UF;
- EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC);
- EPA’s Environmental Response Team;
- three EPA Region 4 On-Scene Coordinators; and
- several contractors.