Potassium bromate

Agent Name
Potassium bromate
CAS Number
7758-01-2
Formula
Br-O3.K
Major Category
Other Classes
Potassium bromate formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Bromic acid, potassium salt; [ChemIDplus] Bromate de potassium (French); Bromato de potasio (Spanish); [CHEMINFO] UN1484
Category
Halogens, Inorganic Compounds
Description
White solid; [Merck Index] White odorless crystalline solid; Soluble in water; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a dough conditioner, oxidizing agent, permanent wave compound, food additive, packaging material, skin bleaching agent, industrial cleaner, and malting agent for barley; [HSDB]
Comments
"Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, methemoglobinemia, renal injury." [Merck Index] A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; [HSDB] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause effects on the kidneys and CNS after ingestion; [ICSC] An irritant that is toxic by ingestion; In poisoning cases, there was evidence of methemoglobin formation, and injury to the brain, kidneys, and liver; Loss of hearing was also reported; [AIHA] Oral LD50 = 160-500mg/kg in animal experiments; Ingestion of 2-4 ounces of 2% potassium bromate solution is life threatening in children; [Haddad, p. 1387]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

WEEL
0.1 mg/m3

Adverse Effects

Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: