(HBr)

Potential Human Health Effects

Health Effects:

Hydrobromic acid is a corrosive material, and contact with the liquid or its vapors can irritate or damage the respiratory system, eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Extended contact with hydrobromic acid can lead to chemical burns especially to the skin or eyes; thus appropriate personal protective equipment should be used when working with hydrobromic acid. An odor threshold of 2 ppm has been established for hydrobromic acid, which means that the characteristic odor of its vapors should be able to be detected at levels that are at or below established concentrations which cause serious harm. If contact with the liquid or vapors occur, the affected area should be flooded with water for an extended period of time to minimize the impact of exposure.

Consumer contact with hydrobromic acid is very unlikely given its highly controlled distribution for manufacturing uses.

Industrial Use:

Hydrobromic acid is used to manufacture widely diverse products and is sold only for production in highly controlled manufacturing facilities by people trained in the hazards of chemicals. Hydrobromic acid used in a manufacturing setting will be handled using best practice techniques developed to minimize any potential risk of exposure to liquids and vapors. Industry utilizes engineered systems to minimize the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals. Employees using hydrobromic acid are highly trained and required to wear specialized protective clothing for additional protection when working with hydrobromic acid. Unplanned releases or spills of hydrobromic acid can present an immediate danger to life and health. In any spill or release incident, all non-essential personnel are immediately evacuated upwind of the spilled material. All personnel involved with correcting the situation are trained and properly equipped with the required personal protective equipment.

Environmental Release:

Hydrobromic acid is handled using highly-engineered systems designed to minimize any release to the environment. When a container of hydrobromic acid is opened for transfer to another vessel, there is the potential for a small amount of the material to be released to the environment.

Physical Hazards

Hydrobromic acid is made by dissolving hydrogen bromide gas into water. The more concentrated 48% version of hydrobromic acid will be more likely to release hydrogen bromide vapors than lower concentration products. Heating hydrobromic acid in an open container will cause the release of more vapors. The material may darken from a near water white solution to an amber colored solution with exposure to air, metals and/or sunlight. Hydrogen bromide is a corrosive liquid that will react with many metals and can damage human tissues if liquid or vapor contact occurs.

Potential Environmental Impact

Environmental Fate Information:

The most significant environmental release that could occur would be due to rupture of a hydrobromic acid container. Whether the release is to soil or water the acid should be contained until it can be transferred to another container or reacted in a controlled manner with appropriate chemical bases, such as slaked lime or sodium carbonate under professional supervision to neutralize its corrosive effects. In contact with soil, hydrobromic acid will form simple bromide salts with minerals that are likely to be present. If hydrobromic acid is spilled onto soil or other porous materials, it should be exhumed, neutralized, and properly disposed of. The small amounts of hydrogen bromide vapors that could be released from hydrobromic acid during handling are expected to react with components in the atmosphere and be derivitized before long range transport can occur. Because of its activity in soil, hydrobromic acid is not considered to be bioaccumulative.

Aquatic and/or Terrestrial Toxicity:

Hydrobromic acid may have toxic effects on living organisms. The primary effect on aquatic organisms (e.g., fish, invertebrates, microorganisms, etc.) is an impaired ability to balance ions. The pH reduction may also cause aluminum and other metals to change form and be mobilized at toxic levels. The particular toxic effects that are observed are determined by the amount of hydrobromic acid released and the sensitivity of the organisms to the substance and the acidity level.

Conclusion

Hydrobromic acid is a unique substance with a wide variety of uses in manufacturing. Though it is a hazardous material, it is only handled by highly trained people in manufacturing environments utilizing specialty equipment, safety controls and personal protective equipment. There are relatively few locations around the world where it is made.