Brom

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

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

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.

First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Put clothes in sealable container. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

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

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

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from food and feedstuffs. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Store only in original container. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty). Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.

May intensify fire; oxidizer.

Fire Fighting Procedures: Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Use appropriate extinguishing agents on nearby combustible fires.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Do not store in polyethylene containers. Handle and open container with care.

Storage Recommendations: Store in cool, dry, well-venilated location. Separate from oxidizing materials.

1) VENTILATE AREA OF SPILL OR LEAK. 2) COLLECT FOR RECLAMATION OR ABSORB IN VERMICULITE, DRY SAND, EARTH, OR A SIMILAR MATERIAL OR POUR SODIUM THIOSULFATE OR LIME WATER OVER SMALL SPILLS.

Soln or slurries of 10-50% potassium carbonate, 10-13% sodium carbonate, & 5-10% sodium bicarbonate or saturated "hypo" soln (prepared by dissolving 4 kg of technical-grade sodium thiosulfate in 9.5 l of water & adding 113 g of soda ash) are preferred neutralizing agents for liquid bromine spills.

A 5% lime slurry or 5% sodium hydroxide soln may be used, but heats of reaction are higher for these reagents. Ammonia soln should not be applied to liquid spills because of the high heat of reaction & nitrogen evolution. Anhydrous ammonia gas is useful for neutralization of bromine fumes.

Accidental Release Measures. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Spill or Leak Procedures: Stop or control the leak, if this can be done without undue risk. Use water spray to cool and disperse vapors and protect personnel. Use soda ash to neutralize liquid. Control runoff and isolate discharged material for proper disposal.

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

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

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Waste treatment methods. Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Bromine should be washed with water from any areas of dermal or ocular contact. If inhaled, treatment is mainly symptomatic and may include maintaining an adequate airway, administering oxygen, antibronchospasm therapy, and/or antibiotics. (L626)

Bromine vapour causes irritation and direct damage to the mucous membranes. Elemental bromine also burns the skin. The bromide ion is a central nervous system depressant and chronic exposure produces neuronal effects. This is called bromism and can result in central reactions reaching from somnolence to coma, cachexia, exicosis, loss of reflexes or pathologic reflexes, clonic seizures, tremor, ataxia, loss of neural sensitivity, paresis, papillar edema of the eyes, abnormal speech, cerebral edema, delirium, aggressiveness, and psychoses. (L625, L626, L627)

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age < or = 24 hr; Conditions: freshwater, static, 22 °C, pH 8.0 (7.4-9.4), hardness 173 mg/L CaCO3, dissolved oxygen >60%; Concentration: 1500 ug/L for 24 hr (95% confidence interval: 1000-2200 ug/L)

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age < or = 24 hr; Conditions: freshwater, static, 22 °C, pH 8.0 (7.4-9.4), hardness 173 mg/L CaCO3, dissolved oxygen >60%; Concentration: 1000 ug/L for 48 hr (95% confidence interval: 460-2200 ug/L)

LC50; Species: Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill); Conditions: freshwater, static; Concentration: 0.52 ppm for 24 hr (95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.83 ppm)

LC50; Species: Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout); Conditions: freshwater, static; Concentration: 0.31 ppm for 24 hr (95% confidence interval: 0.28-0.35 ppm)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Volatilization of bromine from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.32X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(1). Bromine is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 212 mm Hg at 25 °C(2). Bromine is reportedly vaporized rapidly at room temperature(3). Bromine will slowly be reduced to bromide by natural oxidizable materials in water and soil(4).

AQUATIC FATE: Volatilization of bromine from water surfaces is expected(1) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 1.32X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(2). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(1), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 4.5 hours and 5 days, respectively(SRC). When bromine dissolves in water, it partially disproportionates into HOBr (hypobromous acid) and HBr(3). Above pH 3, the fraction present as Br2 decreases and HOBr is formed(4); between pH 6 and pH 8, most of the bromine is present as HOBr(4). Bromine will slowly be reduced to bromide by natural oxidizable materials in water and soil(4). Bromine absorbs at wavelengths >290 nm(5) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis on water surfaces exposed to sunlight(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), bromine, which has a vapor pressure of 212 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase bromine is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 8.6 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.5X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). The reaction of bromine with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals yields the bromide radical and HOBr(3). Bromine absorbs at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Oral (L626) ; inhalation (L626) ; dermal (L626)

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Bromine is a dark reddish-brown, volatile, mobile diatomic liquid; vaporizes at room temperature. Pure bromine is used in the synthesis of a variety of bromine containing substances. Other uses for bromine include flame retardants, cleaning agents, dyestuffs, photography, water sanitation, pharmaceuticals, bleaching fibers and silk. Bromine is registered for use in water filters to purify drinking water aboard US Naval ships and offshore oil well platforms. It is also used as a general disinfectant and sanitizer in indoor, non-food contact areas such as commercial establishments, hospitals and households, to control bacteria and fungi. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Inhalation of the irritant bromine vapors or direct contact with the liquid or vapor with skin and mucous membranes will produce direct tissue injury. Injury may occur at various levels of the respiratory tract depending upon the concentration of bromine and the duration of exposure. Pure bromine liquid or vapor is extremely irritating to the skin. Unlike other chemical agents, there is no immediate visible skin reaction after contact. The delay before initial signs or injury become apparent often results in more extreme damage. The most common local effects are blister formation, brownish discoloration of the skin and slow healing ulcers. Exposure to low concentrations produces lacrimation, rhinorrhea, eye irritation, coughing, dyspnea, choking, wheezing, epistaxis and headache. A brownish discoloration of the tongue and buccal mucosa may result and be accompanied by a characteristic breath odor. Inflammatory lesions of the upper airway, photophobia and blepharospasm are noted at higher levels. Upper and lower respiratory tract: delayed or immediate bronchoconstriction and the development of laryngeal spasm, glottal edema and asthma. With increased parenchymal penetration, there may be associated peribronchiolar abscesses, pulmonary infiltrates consistent with chemical pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans and pulmonary edema. Acute obstructive ventilator impairment may lead to acidosis, measles like rash and subsequent death. It should be noted that more severe respiratory symptoms may be delayed for several hours after the exposure. There is a rare cutaneous manifestation of bromide accumulation is known as bromoderma tuberosum which progresses from red papules to pustules that enlarge and develop into indurated lesions. A mild degree of spermatogenic suppression and impaired reproductive performance following paternal exposure to bromine vapor described in the literature. ANIMAL STUDIES: The mortality of mice exposed to 240 or 750 ppm bromine was dependent on the duration of the study. Rats, mice and rabbits inhaling 0.2 ppm bromine developed disturbances in the functions of their respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems. Rats fed bromine (0.01 mg/kg)) for 6 months experienced changes in their conditioned reflexes and several blood indexes. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: Bromine releases as a consequence of production activities have had serious effects upon vegetation.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Zygotes and young embryos derived from Fucus vesiculosus /bladderwack (seaweed)/ collected in the achipelgo of Stockholm (Sweden) in 1990, growing at a salinity of 6 to 7 S /salinity/, were cultured under different salinity conditions and in media of different bromine concentrations. Optimum salinity was 10 to 12 S for germination (rhizoid initiation) while apical hair formation showed a broader tolerance curve with an optimum at 8 to 14 S. Bromide caused inhibition of early development of F. vesiculosus. At 6 salinity a 50% reduction in germination took place at 10.0 mM Br and at 1.25 mM Br only 4.7% of the embryos developed apical hairs, as compared to 32.7% in the control. Bromine toxicity decreased at higher salinities. The results indicate that F. vesiculosus in the Baltic Sea has diverged from its Altantic progenitors and to some extent acclimated to low salinity. Still, the salinity in the normal environment of the tested population is lower than optimum, leading to a lower degree of germination.

/PLANTS/ Immediate and delayed (24 hr) effects of a 20 min exposure of cowpea primary leaf tissue to 1, 3, or 5 ppm bromine gas was studied. The formation of circular, adaxial and abaxial surface lesions and leaf compression were the most visible changes. At 1 ppm cellular changes such as adaxial depression and anticlinal cell wall interdigitation were reversed when exposed plants were returned to normal environment. At 5 ppm the entire population immediately became irreversibly necrotic.

/PLANTS/ Bromine releases as a consequence of ... production activities has had serious effects upon vegetation in the locale. The first noted manifestation of a problem was damage to coniferous trees near the bromine plants. Needle tip necrosis after 13 to 14 month and 1 to 2 month exposure times was very evident within a 3 mile radius of all bromine facilities sampled. At further distances of 3.5 to 12 miles, tip damage was sporadic, varying from tree to tree, and not evident on 1 to 2 month-exposure needles. The foliage burn and death of trees within 0.5 to 1 mile was extreme. Conifers were decidedly more susceptible to the bromine emissions than were broadleaf trees, shrubs, and grasses. Chlorophyll (a and b) levels were greatly reduced in the conifer trees surrounding the bromine plants. This was taken as a strong indicator of extreme air pollution problems because chlorophyll does not reflect environmental problems until they become overwhelming.

Cough. Sore throat. Shortness of breath. Wheezing. Laboured breathing. Symptoms may be delayed.

Redness. Burning sensation. Pain. Serious skin burns.

Watering of the eyes. Redness. Blurred vision. Pain. Burns.

Burns in mouth and throat. Burning sensation in the throat and chest. Abdominal pain. Shock or collapse.

dizziness, headache; lacrimation (discharge of tears), epistaxis (nosebleed); cough, feeling of oppression, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis; abdominal pain, diarrhea; measle-like eruptions; eye, skin burns

Bromine vapour causes irritation and direct damage to the mucous membranes. Symptoms include lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, eye irritation with mucous secretions from the oropharyngeal and upper airways, coughing, dyspnoea, choking, wheezing, epistaxis, and headache. The bromide ion is a central nervous system depressant producing ataxia, slurred speech, tremor, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, visual disturbances, unsteadiness, headaches, impaired memory and concentration, disorientation and hallucinations. (L626, L627)

The food additives, bromide ion and residual bromine, may be present in water, potable in accordance with the following conditions: (1) The food additives are present as a result of treating water aboard ships with a polybrominated ion-exchange resin (as a source of bromine) under the supervision of trained personnel. (2) Residual bromine levels are controlled to not exceed 1.0 part per million (ppm) in the final treated water. Control is effected using calibrated recirculating or proportioning bromine feeder equipment and periodic checks of residual bromine using a bromine test kit. To assure safe use of the additives, the label and labeling of the disinfectant formulation containing the food additives shall conform to the label and labeling registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (3) No tolerance is established for bromide ion levels. /Bromide ion and residual bromine/

A tolerance exemption for use of residual bromine in potable water has been granted. In the 1993 Bromine RED, the Agency indicated the need for confirmatory data (i.e., 171-4(f) magnitude of residue in potable water) to alleviate potential concerns about the conversion of bromine into bromate, which is a known carcinogen. In response to the data call-in, two studies were conducted to determine the magnitude of bromate residues in potable water. At the pH level expected for drinking water disinfection on ships/oil platforms, the bromate levels in these studies were non detect. Hence at this time the Agency does not have concerns for the use of bromine as a drinking water disinfectant (on ships/oil platforms). The Agency has evaluated all current registered uses of bromine and has determined based on available data, that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm to any population subgroup will result from exposure to bromine. Therefore, no mitigation measures are needed, and the current tolerances established at 40 CFR180.519 for residues of residual bromine in potable water are now considered reassessed under section 408(q) of the FFDCA.

Based on the reviews of the generic data for the active ingredient bromine, the Agency has sufficient information on the health effects of bromine and on its potential for causing adverse effects to the environment. The Agency has determined that bromine products, labled and used as specified in this Reregistration Eligibility Decision, will not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans or the environment, and therefore, the Agency concludes that products containing bromine for all uses are eligible for reregistration.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer saftey standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA '88 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List C, and with List C containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List D. Bromine is found on List D. Case No: 4015; Pesticide type: Insecticide, fungicide, antimicrobial; Case Status: RED Approved 01/94; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Bromine; Data Call-in (DCI) Date(s): 11/15/93; AI Status: OPP has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document for the case/AI.

Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Bromine is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 500 lbs.

Bromine

1

10000

Toxic chemical that can be released at a facility.