Facts about Bromine

Facts about the Definition of the Element Bromine  The Element Bromine is defined as...  A heavy, volatile, corrosive, reddish-brown, nonmetallic liquid element, having a highly irritating vapor. It is used in producing gasoline antiknock mixtures, fumigants, dyes, and photographic chemicals.   The most common uses of Bromine are in Gasoline anti-knock mixtures, Fumigants, Poisons, Dyes, Photographic chemicals, Medicines and Brominated vegetable oil.

Interesting Facts about the Origin and Meaning of the element name Bromine  What are the origins of the word Bromine ?  The name originates from the Greek word 'Bromos' meaning "stench"

 

Facts about the Classification of the Element Bromine  Bromine is classified as an element in the 'Halogens' section which can be located in group 7 of the Periodic Table. The term "halogen" means "salt-former" and compounds containing halogens are called "salts". The halogens exist, at room temperature, in all three states of matter - Gases such as Fluorine & Chlorine, Solids such as Iodine and Astatine and Liquid as in Bromine.

Brief Facts about the Discovery and History of the Element Bromine  Bromine was discovered by Antoine J. Balard in France in 1826.

Occurrence of the element Bromine in the Atmosphere  Bromine occurs in nature as bromide salts in Sea Water. Its primary producers are USA and Israel

Common Uses of Bromine  Gasoline antiknock mixtures  Fumigants  Poisons  Dyes  Photographic chemicals  Medicinals  Brominated vegetable oil

The Properties of the Element Bromine Name of Element : Bromine   Symbol of Element : Br  Atomic Number of Bromine : 35   Atomic Mass: 79.904 amu   Melting Point: -7.2 °C - 265.95 °K  Boiling Point: 58.78 °C - 331.93 °K  Number of Protons/Electrons in Bromine : 35   Number of Neutrons in Bromine : 45  Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic  Density @ 293 K: 3.119 g/cm3  Color of Bromine : reddish-brown

The element Bromine and the Periodic Table  Find out more facts about Bromine on the Periodic Table which arranges every chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the periodic law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Bromine for additional facts and info and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc of Bromine with any other element. An invaluable source for more interesting facts and information about the Bromine element and as a Chemistry reference guide.

Facts and Info about the element Bromine - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table  The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 which includes the Bromine element. The famous Russian Scientist, Dimitri Mendeleev, perceived the correct classification method of "the periodic table" for the 65 elements which were known in his time. Bromine was discovered by Antoine J. Balard in France in 1826. The Standardised Periodic Table now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri Mendeleev knew in his day but still all fitting into his concept of the "Periodic Table" in which Bromine is just one element that can be found.

 

Bromine is a naturally occurring element that is a liquid at room temperature.  

It has a brownish­red color with a bleach­like odor, and it dissolves in water.  Where bromine is found and how it is used Bromine is found naturally in the earth’s crust and in seawater in various chemical forms. Bromine can  also be found as an alternative to chlorine in swimming pools. Products containing bromine are used in agriculture and sanitation and as fire retardants (chemicals that  help  prevent things from catching fire).

Some bromine­containing compounds were historically used as sedatives (drugs that can make people  calm or sleepy). However, these drugs are for the most part no longer found on the market in the United States. 

How you could be exposed to bromine  

Following the release of bromine into water, you could be exposed by drinking the contaminated water.  

If food becomes contaminated with bromine, you could be exposed by eating the contaminated food.  

Following release of bromine gas into the air, you could be exposed by breathing the fumes.  

Skin exposure to bromine could occurthrough direct contact with bromine liquid orgas.  

Bromine gas is heavier than air, so it would settle in low­lying areas. 

How bromine works  

Bromine works bydirectly irritating the skin, mucous membranes, and tissues.  

The seriousness of poisoning caused by bromine depends on the amount, route, and length of time of  exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medicalcondition of the person exposed. 

Immediate signs and symptoms of exposure to bromine Breathing bromine gas could cause you to cough,have trouble breathing, get a headache, have irritation of your mucous membranes (inside your mouth, nose, etc.), be dizzy, or have watery eyes.

Getting bromine liquid or gason your skin could cause skin irritation and burns. Liquid bromine that  touches your skin may first cause a cooling sensationthat is closely followed by a burning feeling.  

Swallowing bromine­containing compounds (combinations of bromine with other chemicals) would  cause different effects depending on the compound. Swallowing a large amount of bromine in a short period of   time would be likely to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (gastrointestinalsymptoms).

Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to bromine.

 

 

  People who survive serious bromine poisoning may also have long­term effects from damage done by  what   is called systemic poisoning, for example, kidney or brain damage from low blood pressure. 

How you can protect yourself, and what to do if you are exposed to bromine  

First, get fresh air by leaving the area where the bromine was released. Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility ofnegative health effects from exposure to bromine. 

If the bromine release was outdoors, move away from the area where the bromine was released. Go to  the highest ground possible, because bromine is heavier than air and will sink to low­lying areas. 

If the bromine release was indoors, get out of the building.

If you are near a release of bromine, emergency coordinators may tell you to either evacuate (leave) the  area or to “shelter in place” (stay where you are) inside a building to avoid being exposed to the chemical.   If you think you may have been exposed to bromine, you should remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible. 

Removing your clothes:  Quickly take off clothing that may have bromine on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over your head   should be cut off your body instead of pulled over your head. 

If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and   remove the clothing as quickly as possible.   

Washing yourself: 

As quickly as possible, wash any bromine from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. 

    Washing with soap and water will help you and other people from any chemicals on your body. 

If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. 

  If you wear contacts, remove them and put them with the contaminated clothing.  Do not put the  contacts back in your eyes (even if they are not disposable contacts).  If you wear eyeglasses, wash them  with soap and water.  You can put your eyeglasses back on after you wash them.   

Disposing of your clothes: 

After you have washed yourself, place your clothing inside a plastic bag.  Avoid touching contaminated   areas of the clothing.  If you can't avoid touching contaminated areas, or you aren't sure where the  contaminated areas are, wear rubber gloves or put the clothing in the bag using tongs, tool handles, sticks, or similar objects.  Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should also be placed in the  bag.  If you wear contacts, put them in the plastic bag, too. 

Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag. Disposing of your clothing in this way will help protect you and other people from any chemicals that might be on your clothes. 

When the local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with  your clothes. The health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal.  Do not    handle the plastic bags yourself.

If someone has swallowed bromine, do nottry to make them vomit or give them fluids to drink. Seek medical attention right away. Dial 911 and explain what has happened. 

How bromine poisoning is treated  Bromine poisoning is treated with supportive medical care (for example, oxygen, fluids given through a  needle nto your vein) in a hospital setting. No specific antidote exists for bromine poisoning. (An antidote is a medicine that reverses the effects of a poison.) The most important thing is for people to remove themselves  from the exposure site and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.