Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Molecular bromine; Brome; [CHEMINFO] UN1744
Category
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors
Description
Dark reddish-brown, fuming liquid with suffocating, irritating fumes; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used for bleaching, disinfecting, and manufacturing ethylene dibromide and other organic chemical products (fire extinguishers, analytical and photographic reagents, fire-retardant plastics, dyes, and drugs); [ACGIH] Used to disinfect water and bleach textiles; [Merck Index] Used in photography as a holography bleach; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html]
Comments
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 563] A lachrymator; [HSDB] Causes lachrymation; A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] Bromide compounds have been used since the 19th century as sedatives and anticonvulsants. Because of the risk of chronic bromide poisoning (bromism), bromide salts were removed from most pharmaceuticals in the US by 1978. The findings of bromism include neuropsychiatric symptoms and acne. [Ford, p. 559] The bromide ion has a long half-life so that bioaccumulation and delayed toxicity may be observed. [Goldfrank, p. 1066] When spilled in water Bromine trifluoride and Bromine pentafluoride can release HF and Bromine. [ERG 2016] See the Process, "Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water."
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: It has been reported that 10 ppm and above cause such severe upper respiratory irritation that exposures will not be voluntarily borne [MCA 1968]. Also, it has been reported that 0.75 ppm caused no symptoms in 6 hours [Flury and Zernik 1931]. Further, 4 ppm has been recommended as the maximum concentration allowable for 0.5 to 1 hour, with 40 to 60 ppm dangerous for brief exposures [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. It has also been stated that respiratory damage occurs at 10 ppm [NFPA 1978]. It has been reported that 1.7 to 3.5 ppm produces severe choking, 4.5 to 9 ppm is extremely dangerous, and 30 ppm would prove fatal in a short time [ILO 1971].
Odor Threshold Low
0.0099 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.46 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mice) = 750 ppm/9 min
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from AIHA (<0.0099-0.46 ppm); VP from HSDB;
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: