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Table 1 Toxic effects of methyl bromide (data 1990-2011)

From: Prostate cancer and toxicity from critical use exemptions of methyl bromide: Environmental protection helps protect against human health risks

Effect observed

Ref.

in vitro

 

chromosomal aberration (mammalian cells exposed to gaseous methyl bromide)

[54]

Sister chromatid exchange and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes

 

O-6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase

[49]

genotoxic in bacteria (Ames test)

[23]

Genotoxicity in workers exposed to methyl bromide

[88]

in vivo

 

toxic encephalopathies (animal experiments)

[65]

immunoreactive HSP 70 in rat olfactory receptor neurone

[64]

DNA methylation (rat, mice)

[48]

reduction in the white blood cells (rat)

[89]

increase in SCOT, SGPT activities (mice)

[89]

hepatic and glomerular injuries (mice)

[89]

MMP-9, matrix-metalloproteinase -9 and -2, MMP-2 expression in olfactory bulb following methal bromide gas exposure (mice)

[66]

human

 

irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; muscle weakness, coordination loss, visual disturbance, dizziness; nausea, vomiting, headache; malaise (vague feeling of discomfort); hand tremor; convulsions; dyspnea (breathing difficulty); skin vesiculation; liquor frostbite; [potential occupational carcinogen]

[11, 34]

acute poisoning: ataxia, behavioral changes, seizures, coma chronic low level exposure: peripheral neuropathy, electroencephalogram abnormalities, deficits on the Wechsler memory scale (on 2-point discrimination at the index scale)

[90]

headache, dizziness, nausea

[11, 34]

chronic exposure: central and peripheral system disorders, cerebro-vestibular and pyramidal neuropathy of lower

 

limbs, paresthesia

cerebro-vestibular and pyramidal neuropathy of lower limbs, paresthesis

 

motor neuron disease

[16]

acute exposure (high concentration): refractory seizures, intermittent fever, multiorgan system failure, death

[13]

liver degenerative changes

[1]

reduction of lung function, chest pain, shortness of breath, inflammation of the lung

[1]

erectile dysfunction

[38]

central nervous system toxicity and early peripheral neuropathy following dermal exposure

[36]

diffuse lesions in the spleen of the corpus callosum

[91]