BROMINE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
0 3 0 ox	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	0	Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special	OX	Possesses oxidizing properties.

Bromine is a dark reddish-brown fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Denser than water and soluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Toxic by inhalation. Accelerates the burning of combustible material. It is very corrosive to tissue and to metals.

• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Fumes in air. Soluble in water.

Will cause ignition of organic materials spontaneous ignition possible when combined with potassium, phosphorus and tin and a wide variety of other chemicals. It reacts explosively with acetylene, acrylonitrile, ammonia, dimethyl formamide, ethyl phosphine, hydrogen, isobutyrophenone, nickel carbonyl, nitrogen triiodide, ozone, oxygen difluoride, phosphorus, potassium, silver azide, sodium and sodium carbide. When heated it emits highly toxic fumes and will react with water or steam to product toxic and corrosive fumes. Bromine is incompatible with a wide variety of materials including alkali hydroxides; arsenites; ferrous, mercurous salts; hypophosphites and other oxidizable substances. Vaporizes rapidly at room temperature. (EPA, 1998)

Inhalation exposure to 11-23 mg/m3 produces severe choking. 30-60 mg/m3 is extremely dangerous. 200 mg/m3 is fatal in a short time. Vapors can cause acute as well as chronic poisoning. It has cumulative properties. It is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Poisoning is due to the corrosive action on the gastrointestinal tract. Nervous, circulatory and renal disturbances occur after ingestion. Ingestion of liquid can cause death due to circulatory collapse and asphyxiation from swelling of the respiratory tract. The lowest oral lethal dose reported for humans is 14 mg/kg. The lowest lethal inhalation concentration reported for humans is 1000 ppm. (EPA, 1998)

BROMINE is a powerful oxidizing agent. Reacts vigorously with reducing reagents. Can ignite a combustible material upon contact. If heated by itself or if mixed with water or steam, highly toxic and corrosive fumes are emitted. Reacts explosively with hydrogen, diethylzinc, dimethylformamide, ammonia, trimethylamine, nitromethane, metal azides (silver or sodium azide). Mixtures with lithium or sodium are shock-sensitive. Ignites on contact with germanium, trialkyl boranes, copper and alkali metal acetylides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 506]. Attacks most metals, including platinum and palladium [Hawley]. May react violently to form bromides upon contact with Mg, Sr, B, Al, Hg, Ti, Sn, Sb in powder or sheet form. Sodium, potassium, antimony and germanium ignite in bromine vapor and react explosively. Ignites on contact with germanium, trialkyl boranes, copper and alkali metal acetylides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 506]. Violent reaction with methanol, ethanol, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, diethyl ether, carbonyl compounds, tetrahydrofuran, acrylonitrile, ozone, phosphorus. Methyl acetylides or carbides ignite at room temperature on contact with bromine vapor. Explosive reaction with red phosphorus, metal azides, nitromethane, silane and its homologues [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 109]. Reacts violently on contact with natural rubber [Pascal, 1960, vol. 16.1, 371].

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong
• Halogenating Agents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1744 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Move containers from fire area. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water.

Nonflammable, but a strong oxidizer. Extinguish with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, fog or foam. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Bromine:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2024)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Bromine	7726-95-6	Liquid		imm		imm	imm	imm	imm	15	imm
Bromine (10 g/m2)	7726-95-6	Liquid								>480
Bromine (sat vapour)	7726-95-6	Vapor								30*/40

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

Warning: Effects may be delayed for several hours. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Bromine Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to bromine may include hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), cyanosis (blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes), and circulatory collapse. Neurological effects may include headache, dizziness, delirium, stupor, and shock. Gastrointestinal effects may include vomiting (vomitus may be blue), diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. Nephritis with oliguria (scanty urination) and anuria (absence of urine formation) has been reported. Bromine is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; brown discoloration of the mucous membranes, lips, and tongue may be observed. Lacrimation (tearing), photophobia (heightened sensitivity to light), nosebleeds, coughing, asphyxiation, and pulmonary edema may also occur. A burning pain in the mouth and esophagus generally follows ingestion.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to bromine may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying and supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to bromine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to bromine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed IMMEDIATELY with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. IMMEDIATELY wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Activated charcoal is of no value.
5. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• BROMINE
• BROMINE ELEMENT
• BROMINE MOLECULE (BR2)
• DIATOMIC BROMINE
• DIBROMINE
• MOLECULAR BROMINE