Uses and Hazards of Bromine

Atom for atom, bromine is even more efficient at destroying ozone than is chlorine. There has therefore been much concern that releases of volatile bromine compounds such as methyl bromide may contribute disporpor-tionately to thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer. Whereas there is no longer any doubt over the role of human activity in stratospheric pollution by CFCs, which are exclusively anthropogenic, attempts to assess the importance of human activity in pollution by methyl bromide have been confused by large natural releases of CHaBr from oceans and forest fires. Besides, unlike the case of CFCs released into the environment, a major fraction of the methyl bromide injected into soils to kill pests is destroyed in the ground. 

Up to the time of writing in 1996, no satisfactory alternative to halon firefighting agents has been put on the market, although perfluoroalkylamines, which contain neither Br nor Cl but break down thermally to give the -H and -OH scavenger -CFs, appear to be effective flame suppressants.  

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