Usage of Methyl Bromide in Indian Railways

[Gray Face of India]

Hi,

We received the following messages from a retired man, who is very much worried about this issue. But we dont have any technical expertise in this area. If anyone has, please post it here:

Railways have announced that they have started carrying out fumigation with Methyl Bromide in Passenger Coaches. This news was widely published in
The Hindu and Times Of India both dated the 10thOct 2013.The news item also mentioned that the inventor of the fumigation chamber has been awarded the PM’s Shram Vir award.
Methyl Bromide is being phased out and cannot be used in passenger coaches. The gas is retained in the cushions and slowly releases fumes that are harmful to the passengers
Especially infants. The gas is carcinogenic and is being banned ( can only be used for quarantine purpose) the world over as per the Geneva Convention of (if I remember) 1997.According to me this type of fumigation is not legal.
I have send number of e mails to the AGM’s office who say they have not received any communication. I also faxed a copy to them, this also they deny that they have not received. I spoke to the Chief Mechanical Engineer in charge and cautioned him regarding the use age of  Methyl Bromide.
Now I feel only your group can take this up and stop some thing serious. We need to save lives. I must come and meet with you to explain in detail and to prove my point.
Let us stop a “Min Bhopal in the making.”

Dear Shri Subhash Gandhi,
Thank you very much for your response.
Fumigation is process where poisonous gas is released in gas proof conditions (under tarpaulin/in containers).
The gas will kill all stages of the pest. Needs to be kept under cover for 24 hours. There after aeration is done to remove gas.
This gas Methyl Bromide (MBr)  depletes ozone layer so developed  countries like UK.US &many European countries have banned the same. Developing countries allowed to use this for restricted use(quarantine purpose and preshipment ie import and export goods). Time given is till 2015 and there after even that is not allowed.This can only be done under strict supervision by the Plant Protection Authorities (PPQ&S).
However AC coaches are not impor/export commodities and hence it is illegal to use MBr in AC coaches. Since foam is used in the coaches, they will retain/absorb the gas that will be inhaled by passengers over a period of time.
We must know if PPQ&S(Plant Protection Quarantine & Storage) authorities have given written permission to the Railways to carry out fumigation with Methyl Bromide.Or the agencies who are doing this have the license to carry out such fumigation.
It is reported in The Hindu & Times of India  (both dated10 th Oct) that Railways have developed a fumigation chamber for this purpose. The irony is that the inventor of the chamber has been awarded the PM's Shram Vir Award.
The whole issue is that fumigation to AC coaches of the Railways is illegal.
I am prepared to say this in any forum.
Infants will be first effected, and it is carcinogenic.

Dear Sir,
Further to my previous mail I wish to state that one Pest Control Company whose name was given to me by Mr S.K Sood Chief Machnical Engineer of the Railways who is in charge of the Fumigation , is carrying out this process to the AC coaches in Trichy,
using Aluminium Phosphide.I spoke to the Technical personnel of the company and he confirmed the same.
Well I must tell you that two fumigants namely Methyl Bromide (MBr)and Aluminium Phosphide (ALP) are available. Both are not permitted to be used in Railway coaches.ALP (Phosphine) reacts with rubber and I am surprised how this company is using this fumigant in AC coaches.
In fact I spoke at length with Mr S.K.Sood advising him to consult the PPQ& S Authorities before proceeding further.The point is that we have to safe guard passengers before any thing untoward happens.
Regards,