What is bromine
Bromine is a naturally occurring element and is liquid at room temperature.
It is brownish red, has the smell of bleach, and is soluble in water.
Where was bromine found and how it was used
Bromine exists in the crust and sea water in various chemical forms. Bromine can also be used as a substitute for chlorine in swimming pools.
Products containing bromine are used in agriculture and health and as flame retardants (chemicals that help prevent objects from catching fire).
Some brominated compounds have historically been used as sedatives (drugs that can calm or make people sleepy). However, in the United States market, these drugs have largely disappeared.
How did you come into contact with bromine
With the release of bromine into water, you may be exposed to bromine by drinking contaminated water.
If the food is contaminated with bromine, you may be exposed to bromine because of eating the contaminated food.
After bromine gas is released into the air, you may be exposed to the air due to inhalation of these fumes.
Skin contact with bromine can occur through direct contact with bromine liquid or gas.
Bromine is heavier than air, so it will settle in low-lying areas.
How bromine works
Bromine acts by directly stimulating skin, mucosa and tissues.
The severity of bromine poisoning depends on the amount, route and duration of exposure, as well as the age and previous health status of the exposed person.
Direct symptoms of exposure to bromine
Inhalation of bromine gas may cause cough, dyspnea, headache, inflammation of mucous membrane (in the mouth, nose, etc.), dizziness or tears.
Skin contact with bromine liquid or gas may cause skin irritation and burns. Liquid bromine contacting your skin may cause a sense of cooling first, and then a sense of burning.
Swallowing bromine-containing compounds (combinations of bromine and other chemicals) will have different effects according to different compounds. If a large amount of bromine is swallowed in a short time, it may cause nausea, vomiting and other symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms).
The appearance of these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to bromine.
Long-term health effects of exposure to bromine
Survivors of severe poisoning due to inhalation of bromine may have long-term lung problems.
People who survived from severe bromine poisoning may also suffer long-term effects due to the damage caused by so-called systemic poisoning, such as kidney or brain damage caused by hypotension.
