What type of products may develop bad odors as a result of fumigation with methyl bromide?

What type of products may develop bad odors as a result of fumigation with methyl bromide?

• A. Sponge rubber and foam rubber
• B. Wood and metal products
• C. Glass and plastic items
• D. Food and beverages

Answer: (A)

Methyl bromide is a widely used fumigant, particularly effective against a range of pests. However, one significant downside is that certain materials can develop unpleasant odors when exposed to this chemical. Sponge rubber and foam rubber are particularly susceptible because they are porous materials that can absorb volatile compounds. The fumigation process allows methyl bromide to penetrate these materials, and residual chemicals can lead to the development of bad odors that may linger even after the fumigation process is complete. This characteristic makes sponge rubber and foam rubber more likely to be adversely affected compared to the other materials mentioned. While wood and metal products can also interact with fumigants, they typically do not absorb chemicals to the same extent, and the risk of odor development is lower. Glass and plastic items are generally non-porous and less likely to retain odors following fumigation. Food and beverages are not suitable for fumigation in the first place due to health regulations, so they are not relevant to this question on the development of odors specific to materials like sponge rubber and foam rubber.

Methyl bromide is a widely used fumigant, particularly effective against a range of pests. However, one significant downside is that certain materials can develop unpleasant odors when exposed to this chemical. Sponge rubber and foam rubber are particularly susceptible because they are porous materials that can absorb volatile compounds. The fumigation process allows methyl bromide to penetrate these materials, and residual chemicals can lead to the development of bad odors that may linger even after the fumigation process is complete. This characteristic makes sponge rubber and foam rubber more likely to be adversely affected compared to the other materials mentioned.

While wood and metal products can also interact with fumigants, they typically do not absorb chemicals to the same extent, and the risk of odor development is lower. Glass and plastic items are generally non-porous and less likely to retain odors following fumigation. Food and beverages are not suitable for fumigation in the first place due to health regulations, so they are not relevant to this question on the development of odors specific to materials like sponge rubber and foam rubber.