The Methyl Bromide Issue

Written by international experts in the field, this book sets outthe scientific arguments for and against the use of methyl bromidewhich is both naturally occurring and also a man-made productbelieved to have played a significant role in the depletion of theozone layer. Methyl bromide is a widely used fumigant in agriculture,horticulture and the preservation of structural materials. The fateof this natural and man-made chemical is the focus of much fiercedebate with scientific, political, social, environmental andeconomic arguments for and against the production and use of thischemial. This book does not set out to convince the reader of apredetermined viewpoint. Its purpose is to set out the scientificdebate covering the major relevant fields including agriculture,atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, environmental sciences,chemistry, biology and toxicology, as well as two chapters onpotential alternatives to methyl bromide. The authors who havecontributed to this book are all experts who have played pivotalroles in the international debate on methyl bromide.

This volume includes the transcript of the U.S. Congress subcommittee hearing held in June 2003 that discussed the status of the compound methyl bromide as it pertains to the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The Clean Air Act is a U.S. federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level. Methyl bromide (MeBr) is an odorless, colorless gas that has been used as a soil fumigant and structural fumigant to control pests across a wide range of sectors. Because MeBr depletes the stratospheric ozone layer, the amount of MeBr produced and imported in the U.S. was reduced incrementally until it was phased out completely by January 1, 2005, pursuant to the U.S.'s obligation under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act.

Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences, Second Edition, Six Volume Set is an authoritative resource covering all aspects of atmospheric sciences, including both theory and applications. With more than 320 articles and 1,600 figures and photographs, this revised version of the award-winning first edition offers comprehensive coverage of this important field. The six volumes in this set contain broad-ranging articles on topics such as atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemical cycles, boundary layers, clouds, general circulation, global change, mesoscale meteorology, ozone, radar, satellite remote sensing, and weather prediction. The Encyclopedia is an ideal resource for academia, government, and industry in the fields of atmospheric, ocean, and environmental sciences. It is written at a level that allows undergraduate students to understand the material, while providing active researchers with the latest information in the field. Covers all aspects of atmospheric sciences—including both theory and applications Presents more than 320 articles and more than 1,600 figures and photographs Broad-ranging articles include topics such as atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemical cycles, boundary layers, clouds, general circulation, global change, mesoscale meteorology, ozone, radar, satellite remote sensing, and weather prediction An ideal resource for academia, government, and industry in the fields of atmospheric, ocean, and environmental sciences