As most museum professionals who work with fumigation know, the use of methyl bromide as a fumigant/insecticide is being phased out by the EPA, with a target of 100% phase out by 2005. (Methyl bromide has been identified as an ozone depleter, among other unpleasant things: for complete information on this, see http://www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/mbr/mbrqa.html#faq.) The EPA is trying to assess how much use of methyl bromide is still present in museums and historic structures, and in what applications (collections fumigation, structural treatment, etc.). 

If you still rely on methyl bromide as part of your museum or historic structure pest management program, please contact Bill Chism at the EPA <[log in to unmask]> to let him know about this use. This will allow him to assess the museum community's needs and concerns re methyl bromide. Mr. Chism wants to be sure that such needs are taken into account and will post further messages to keep us updated. 

Thanks! Cheers, Sally




Sally Y. Shelton
Collections Officer
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC   20560-0107
phone (202) 786-2601, FAX (202) 786-2328
email [log in to unmask]

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