Bromophenol Blue

Hexagonal prisms from acetic acid and acetone

Elongated hexagonal prisms from acetic acid and acetone

Soluble in acetic acid

Soluble in water (about 0.4 g/100 mL); more soluble in methyl and ethyl alcohol, and in benzene. Freely soluble in NaOH solutions with the formation of a water-soluble sodium salt.

In water, 3 mg/mL

Chemical: Phenol, 4,4'-(3H-2,1-benzoxathiol-3-ylidene)bis[2,6-dibromo-, S,S-dioxide

Hazard Traits - Bioaccumulation; Environmental Persistence

Bromophenol blue: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Special protective equipment for fire-fighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.

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

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 POTW is acceptable only after review by the governing authority. 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 meet Hazardous Material Criteria for disposal.

Personal precautions: Avoid dust formation.

Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains.

Methods for cleaning up: Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure 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, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Observe all federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Hygiene measures: General industrial hygiene practice.

In case of skin contact: Wash off with soap and plenty of water.

In case of eye contact: Flush eyes with water as a precaution.

Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. Normal measures for preventive fire protection.

30 [mg/m3]

330 [mg/m3]

2000 [mg/m3]

Respiratory protection: Respiratory protection is not required. Where protection from nuisance levels of dusts are desired, use type N95 (US) or type P1 (EN 143) dust masks. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

Hand protection: For prolonged or repeated contact use protective gloves.

Eye protection: Safety glasses.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5X10+6(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bromophenol blue is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). The pKa of bromophenol blue is 4.0(3), indicating that this compound will almost entirely exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4). Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected because the acid exists as an anion and anions do not volatilize. Bromophenol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Bromophenol blue has been found to be biodegraded by select fungi(6).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5X10+6(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bromophenol blue is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 4.0(3) indicates bromophenol blue will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 1.4X10+4(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 6.77(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high, provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC). Bromophenol blue is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(8). Bromophenol blue has been found to be biodegraded by select fungi(9).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), bromophenol blue, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase bromophenol blue may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Bromophenol blue has a maximum absorbance wavelength of 598 nm(3) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of bromophenol blue can be estimated to be 1.5X10+6(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that bromophenol blue is expected to be immobile in soil. The pKa of bromophenol blue is 4.0(3), indicating that this compound will almost entirely exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4).

An estimated BCF of 1.4X10+4 was calculated in fish for bromophenol blue(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 6.77(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high, provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC).

A pKa of 4.0(1) indicates bromophenol blue will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(2). Bromophenol blue is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/GENOTOXICITY/ Bromophenol blue and tetrabromophenol blue are two triphenylmethane dyes. ... Safety concerns on these two dyes of interest have been raised. Consequently, a battery of genetic toxicology assays, including the Ames Salmonella/microsome assay, L5178Y TK+/- mouse lymphoma assay, mouse micronucleus test and mitotic recombination assay with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D5, has been performed on each of the two dyes. The results of the evaluations indicate that both bromophenol blue and tetrabromophenol blue were not active and can be considered non-genotoxic for the three genetic endpoints assessed (gene mutation, chromosome aberrations and primary DNA damage). Genetic activities in some structurally related compounds of these dyes have been reported but may be attributed to the presence of mutagenic impurities rather than the compound itself.

Bromophenol blue is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(1). Bromophenol blue has a maximum absorbance wavelength of 598 nm(2) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 6222 workers (1264 of these were female) were potentially exposed to bromophenol blue in the US(1). Occupational exposure to bromophenol blue may occur through dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where bromophenol blue is produced or used(SRC). Exposure to the general population may be limited to vitreoretinal surgery patients(SRC).

Bromophenol blue's production and use as a pH indicator and in vitreoretinal surgery may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates bromophenol blue will exist solely in the particulate phase in the atmosphere. Particulate-phase bromophenol will be removed from the atmosphere by wet or dry deposition. Bromophenol blue has a maximum absorbance wavelength of 598 nm and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight. If released to soil, bromophenol blue is expected to have no mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 1.5X10+6. The pKa of bromophenol blue is 4.0, indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected because the acid exists as an anion and anions do not volatilize. Bromophenol blue has been found to be biodegraded by select fungi. If released into water, bromophenol blue is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. The pKa indicates bromophenol blue will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process. An estimated BCF of 1.4X10+4 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high, provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism. Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions. Occupational exposure to bromophenol blue may occur through dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where bromophenol blue is produced or used. Use data indicate exposure to the general population may be limited to vitreoretinal surgery patients. (SRC)

/SRP:/ Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on the left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Poisons A and B/

/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poisons A and B/

/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasm ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poisons A and B/

Substances used for the detection, identification, analysis, etc. of chemical, biological, or pathologic processes or conditions. Indicators are substances that change in physical appearance, e.g., color, at or approaching the endpoint of a chemical titration, e.g., on the passage between acidity and alkalinity. Reagents are substances used for the detection or determination of another substance by chemical or microscopical means, especially analysis. Types of reagents are precipitants, solvents, oxidizers, reducers, fluxes, and colorimetric reagents. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed, p301, p499)

Chemicals and substances that impart color including soluble dyes and insoluble pigments. They are used in INKS; PAINTS; and as INDICATORS AND REAGENTS.

Concentrations of bromophenol blue (I) in plasma, urine, and bile were determined spectrophotometrically after intravenous bolus injections and infusions in rats. The plasma concentrations were found to decrease monoexponentially after all doses except the highest, where the decrease was biexponential. Although the disposition kinetics of I were apparently first-order at all doses, the half-life increased with increasing dose. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-infinity) increased disproportionately with increasing dose. The binding of I to rat plasma proteins, as determined by equilibrium dialysis, showed that the fraction bound (96%) remained constant in the concentration range of 10-300 micrograms/ml. Plasma concentrations were determined at time zero after intravenous administration and after a second dose administered 20 min later when plasma concentrations from the first dose were minimal. The apparent first-order elimination rate constant for the plasma concentration decline following the second dose was significantly less than after the first dose, indicating that the residual dye in the liver altered the elimination of I after the second dose. The fraction of the dose in the liver decreased with increasing dose, indicating a saturable uptake process. The biliary excretion profile reflected the uptake saturation that occurred in the liver and demonstrated that the biliary excretion of I depended on the amount present in the liver. When liver damage was induced by exposure to carbon tetrachloride, dye concentrations in the plasma, liver, and kidney increased markedly.

Used as a dye, laboratory indicator, and biological stain; [ChemIDplus]

Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry]

As indicator, pH 3.0 yellow; pH 4.6 purple.

Vital dye for vitreoretinal surgery

Adsorption Indicators. Indicator: bromophenol blue; Titratable ions: Cl, I; Titrant (Reagent): Ag; Color change: yellow - green - greenish blue. /from table/

Vital dye for vitreoretinal surgery.