| Agent Name |
Bromine |
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| CAS Number |
7726-95-6 |
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| Formula |
Br2 |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Molecular bromine; Brome; [CHEMINFO] UN1744 |
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| Category |
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Description |
Dark reddish-brown, fuming liquid with suffocating, irritating fumes; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used for bleaching, disinfecting, and manufacturing ethylene dibromide and other organic chemical products (fire extinguishers, analytical and photographic reagents, fire-retardant plastics, dyes, and drugs); [ACGIH] Used to disinfect water and bleach textiles; [Merck Index] Used in photography as a holography bleach; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 523] A lachrymator; [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] When spilled in water Bromine trifluoride and Bromine pentafluoride can release HF and Bromine. [ERG 2008] See the Process, "Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water." |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.1 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
0.2 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.1 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
3 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that 10 ppm and above cause such severe upper respiratory irritation that exposures will not be voluntarily borne [MCA 1968]. Also, it has been reported that 0.75 ppm caused no symptoms in 6 hours [Flury and Zernik 1931]. Further, 4 ppm has been recommended as the maximum concentration allowable for 0.5 to 1 hour, with 40 to 60 ppm dangerous for brief exposures [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. It has also been stated that respiratory damage occurs at 10 ppm [NFPA 1978]. It has been reported that 1.7 to 3.5 ppm produces severe choking, 4.5 to 9 ppm is extremely dangerous, and 30 ppm would prove fatal in a short time [ILO 1971]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
172 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.0099 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
0.46 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) = 750 ppm/9 min |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA (<0.0099-0.46 ppm); |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Lacrimator |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BROMINE
|
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