Bromine Poisoning

CDC hazardous chemical category choking/lung/pulmonary agent 

Ingestion of contaminated food/water Inhalation of gas Human-to-Human No 

Oropharynx Respiratory - lower Respiratory - upper Skin 

Cough - acute NS Cough - productive Dizziness (lightheaded) 

vision - light sensitivity, increased (photophobia) Eyes - tearing, excess (lacrimation) 

---

Bromine is toxic when inhaled or ingested. Like chlorine and fluorine, it is an irritant to the respiratory tract and eyes because it attacks their mucous membranes. Pulmonary edema may result from severe bromine poisoning. The severely irritating nature of bromine causes a withdrawal response in its presence, thereby limiting exposure. 

Ammonia poisoning Arsine poisoning Barium poisoning Benzene poisoning Bromine poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning Chlorine poisoning Cholera... 

Ammonia poisoning, 281-284 Avian influenza, 10-14 Benzene poisoning, 297-300 Botulism, 19-24 Bromine poisoning, 304-307 Carbon monoxide poisoning, 312-316 Chlorine poisoning, 317-320 Cyanide poisoning, 325-329 Dengue, 55-59... 

Ottesen (1975) demonstrated the effect on catalyst activity of a number of known catalyst poisons. His results showed that 1 ppm of sulphur poisons 0.004% of nickel, 1 ppm of phosphorus poisons 0.0007% of nickel, 1 ppm of bromine poisons 0.00125% of nickel, 1 ppm of nitrogen poisons 0.00144% of nickel and 1 part per thousand of oxy acids poisons 0.0046% of... 

Other sources of hazard arise from the handling of such chemicals as concentrated acids, alkalis, metallic sodium and bromine, and in working with such extremely poisonous substances as sodium and potassium cyanides. The special precautions to be observed will be indicated, where necessary, in the experiments in which the substances are employed, and will also be supplied by the demonstrator. The exercise of obvious precautions and cautious handling will in most cases reduce the danger to almost negligible proportions. Thus, if concentrated sulphuric acid should be accidentally spilled, it should be immediately washed with a liberal quantity of water or of a solution of a mild alkali. 

Bromine ttifluoride is commercially available at a minimum purity of 98% (108). Free Br2 is maintained at less than 2%. Other minor impurities are HF and BrF. Free Br2 content estimates are based on color, with material containing less than 0.5% Br2 having a straw color, and ca 2% Br2 an amber-red color. Fluoride content can be obtained by controlled hydrolysis of a sample and standard analysis for fluorine content. Bromine ttifluoride is too high boiling and reactive for gas chromatographic analysis. It is shipped as a Hquid in steel cylinders in quantities of 91 kg or less. The cylinders are fitted with either a valve or plug to faciUtate insertion of a dip tube. Bromine ttifluoride is classified as an oxidizer and poison by DOT. 

The time-weighted, 8-h average limit for exposure to bromine pentafluoride is 0.1 ppm (67). Materials of constmction suitable for use with the bromine fluorides include nickel. Monel metal, or Teflon. For shipping, bromine trifluoride and pentafluoride are classified as oxidizers under DOT regulations. The trifluoride also requires a poison label. 

Catalysts having improved poison resistance have been developed. Catalysts are available that can destroy chlorine-, fluorine-, or bromine-containing organic compounds (5). 

Brom-verbindung, /. bromine compound, -vergiftung, /. bromine (or bromide) poisoning. -wasser, n. bromine water, -wasser-stoff, tn. hydrogen bromide hydrobromic acid. 

Other potential poisons include zinc, manganese, chlorine, and bromine. A number of metals may be deposited on the catalysts from engine erosion and wear, including copper, chromium, nickel, and iron. The mechanism of poisoning has been reviewed by Maxted (134) and by Butt (135). 

The deleterious effects of catalyst poisoning when carrying out asymmetric hydrogenations at low catalyst loading caimot be overemphasised. In order to eliminate the possibility that the substrate synthesis introduced inhibitory impurities, an alternative synthetic protocol was examined (Scheme 7.4). The use of a brominating agent and an expensive palladium catalysed step in the initial route could limit the development of this as an economically favourable process and this was further motivation to examine alternative routes to the hydrogenation substrate. 

One day, as Carothers worked in the laboratory, poisonous bromine spilled on his face and legs, and bromine gas filled his lungs. It could have been far worse the young man working beside Carothers lost most of his penis. Hospitalized for a week as chunks of flesh fell from his leg, Carothers wondered whether chemistry was worth the struggle. He taught at a major university but had no accident insurance, and his bank balance stood at 1.00. He longed for someone to talk to about literature and philosophy, but his classmates read only science. Laboratory air caused an unpleasant dermatitis on various parts of his body. 

Carbon monoxide is a highly flammable and poisonous gas. Its flammable limits in air are 12.5 to 74.2% by volume, and the autoignition temperature 700°C. It explodes when exposed to flame. Reactions with interhalogen compounds, such as, bromine pentafluoride or halogen oxides can cause explosion. It forms explosive products with sodium or potassium that are sensitive to heat and shock. 

Sodium thiosulfate is a common analytical reagent used in iodometric titration to analyze chlorine, bromine, and sulfide. Other uses are in bleaching paper pulp, bleaching straw, ivory, and bones, for removing chlorine from solutions, silver extraction from its ores, a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles, and as an antidote to cyanide poisoning. 

Ethylenedibromide. Ethyl enebromide or 1,2-Dibromoethane, BrCH2.CH2Br mw 187.88 colorless, nonflammable, poisonous liquid sp gr 2.180 at 20°/4°, ft p 10°, bp 131-7°, nD. 1.5357 at 25° si sol In w miscible with most solvents and thinners. It can be prepd by the action of bromine on ethylene gas used as scavenger for lead in gasoline as solvent for fats, oils, waxes, gums, etc and in prepn of celluloid. Avoid breathing vapor absorbs thru skin... 

If someone in your class has been poisoned by chlorine, bromine, hydrogen sulphide, or carbon monoxide, take him or her out into the open air and immediately call a physician. 

Some bromine compounds are covered specifically under Hazardous Materials Regulations. Other compounds may usually be shipped under the classification of chemicals, not otherwise indexed by name, without special requirements unless from their nature they would fall under a category such as combustible liquid, compressed gas, corrosive liquid (or solid), disinfectant liquid (or solid), dmg, dye intermediate (liquid), fire extinguisher, flammable gas (liquid or solid), insecticide, medicine, oxidizer or oxidizing material, poisonous liquid (gas or solid), solvent, or tear gas. Specific provisions apply to each of these categories and appropriate packaging and labeling are required. 

In cases of arsenical poisoning, the expired air contains traces of arsenic which may be detected by absorption with bromine and ammonia and treatment with a solution of Penicillium brevicaule (see p. 322).3... 

---