Potassium bromate

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

0.1 mg/m3

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Possible (2b)

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Dressing Hair