Agent Name |
Hydrogen bromide |
CAS Number |
10035-10-6 |
Formula |
Br-H |
Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Synonyms |
Anhydrous hydrogen bromide; Aqueous hydrogen bromide; Hydrobromic acid; [NIOSH] UN1048; UN1788 |
Category |
Acids |
Description |
Colorless gas with a sharp, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Often used in an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used in synthesis of organic compounds and bromides; also used to dissolve ores and catalyze alkylation; [ACGIH] Dilute HBr used in holography (color bleach); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
Comments |
Aqueous hydrogen bromide = Hydrobromic acid; [NIOSH] Skin contact with acid solutions may cause burns. HBr, compared to HCl, is more toxic to rats, and considerably more toxic to mice in acute inhalation studies. [ACGIH] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] The following chemicals can release HBr when spilled in water: Boron tribromide, Phosphorus pentabromide, Acetyl bromide, and Aluminum bromide. [ERG 2008] See the Process, "Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water." Hydrogen bromide is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans.; A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TIH |
Yes |
Ceiling (ACGIH) |
2 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
3 ppm |
MAK |
2 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
30 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other animal data: Hydrogen bromide (with a rat 1�hour LC50 of 2,858 ppm [Back et al. 1972]) is about as acutely toxic as hydrogen chloride (with a rat 1�hour LC50 of 3,124 ppm [MacEwen and Vernot 1974]). . . . Human data: Volunteers noted nose and throat irritation at 2 to 6 ppm after several minutes [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. It has been reported that 1,300 to 2,000 ppm are lethal in exposures lasting a few minutes [NRC 1981]. |
Odor Threshold Low |
2 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 2,858 ppm/1H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Hydrogen bromide, anhydrous." |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Fibrogenic |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: HYDROBROMIC ACID
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