Why methyl bromide remains banned – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that methyl bromide remains banned as a fumigant in the country because it has negative health effects. The agency in a statement, yesterday, said exposure to methyl bromide may occur during fumigation activities. It said studies in humans indicate that the lung […]
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that methyl bromide remains banned as a fumigant in the country because it has negative health effects.
The agency in a statement, yesterday, said exposure to methyl bromide may occur during fumigation activities. It said studies in humans indicate that the lung may be severely injured by short-term inhalation of methyl bromide.
“Acute (short term ) and chronic (long-term) inhalation of methyl bromide can lead to neurological effect in humans,” the agency said in the statement signed by its director-general, Moji Adeyeye.
NAFDAC said the use of methyl bromide was banned by the Montreal Protocol 1987 due to its effect on ozone layer depletion property, adding that the substance has continued to receive critical uses exemption from other countries since 1987.
It said from the documented abuse and misuse of other agrochemicals in Nigeria, the risks of use of methyl bromide would outweigh the benefit for critical use.
“In Nigeria, NAFDAC database shows that methyl bromide has not been registered nor issued on permit for importation and use since the ban. The ban was implemented by NAFDAC because Nigeria is a signatory to the protocol,” it said.
The agency in the statement said, “The use of Methyl Bromide as fumigant is banned and remains banned in Nigeria. Farmers, agro input dealers and exporter of agricultural produce are advised to use alternative pesticides which are safer, cheaper and more effective.”
The agency said the notice of the ban to Nigerians was important because its attention has been drawn to an upsurge in the demand for methyl bromide from Nigeria as a result of the new requirement of the governments of some countries, such as Mexico and India, that methyl bromide must be used as fumigant on the agricultural produce being exported to their countries.
“NAFDAC, in exercising her mandate as entrenched in NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004, wishes to draw the attention of farmers, exporters of agricultural produce, agro-dealers and the general public on the ban on methyl bromide as a fumigant in Nigeria,” it said in the statement.