(Also known as: monoiodomethane; MeI; methyl iodide)
SUMMARY
Data alerts
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile
Warning: Significant data are missing
Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High
Warning: Significant data are missing
Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A largely obsolete pre-plant fumigant biocide used to control a wide variety of pests
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data
No data found
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
 
General human health issues
Toxic May damage corneal Exposure may cause skin rash, running nose, headache and irritation of the mucous membrane USEPA - possible human carcinogen at high doses
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Corrosive Methyl iodide gases may be generated Not expected to autoignite; Not highly flammable
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242