Standard Operating Procedure
Bromine
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/29/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
11/29/2012
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong (626)-644-2407
(Name and Phone Number)
Latimer 834,836,837,838,839,842,844,847,907
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Bromine is a strong oxidizing agent, corrosive, and is also toxic. It is used in organic chemistry as a
general oxidant and as an electrophilic source of bromine (“Br +”). It is reactive with a wide range of
functional groups, especially olefins.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 7726-95-6
Class: Oxidizing Agent
Molecular Formula: Br2
Form (physical state): liquid
Color: dark red-brown
Boiling point: 59 ºC
Cal OSHA: 0.1 ppm; 0.7 mg/M3 (Both Ceiling)
Bromine
1/11/2013
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Strong oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause a fire. Corrosive. Toxic. Causes eye
and skin burns. May cause severe respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. May cause
severe digestive tract irritation with possible burns. Lachrymator (substance which increases
the flow of tears). May cause central nervous system effects. May cause cardiac
disturbances. May cause liver and kidney damage.
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Lab-specific information on engineering controls may be included in the Protocol/Procedure
section.
Work with liquid bromine should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are designated in the
Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept low to minimize escaping fumes and provide a
physical barrier. A face shield should also be worn when handling liquid bromine.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in the Protocol/Procedure
Respirator Protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S.
This is a regulatory requirement.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Fluorinated rubber gloves should be worn when handling liquid bromine. When working with aqueous
solutions of bromine (bromine water), nitrile and neoprene are the recommended gloves.
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are
compatible with bromine.
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-andusage.html
Eye Protection
Wear chemical splash goggles and a face shield when working with liquid bromine to protect from splash
hazards and bromine vapors. This work must take place in a chemical fume hood. The sash should be as
low as possible and still allow safe work.
Bromine
1/11/2013
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and apron/lab coat
offering known bromine protection must be worn for protection against bromine hazards.
Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled
Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If
not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do
NOT use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If breathing has ceased apply artificial
respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a
mask.
In case of skin contact
Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of soap and water
for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash
clothing before reuse. Destroy contaminated shoes.
In case of eye contact
Get medical aid immediately. Do NOT allow victim to rub or keep eyes closed.
Extensive irrigation with water is required using an emergency eyewash station (at
least 30 minutes).
If swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Get medical aid immediately.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Do not
breathe dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep
container tightly closed. Avoid contact with clothing and other combustible materials. Avoid
ingestion and inhalation. Discard contaminated shoes.
Storage: Keep away from heat, sparks, and flame. Do not store near combustible
materials. Do not store in direct sunlight. Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from
contact with oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from
incompatible substances. Corrosives area. Keep away from reducing agents. Loosen closure
cautiously before opening.
Bromine
1/11/2013
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 911 and EH&S at 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 510-642-9090
immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and EH&S at 510-642-9090 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays - Dial 911 or go to the nearest
emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a
call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After
hours, go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8
hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang
Health Center). After hours, go to the nearest emergency room. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090
to report the incident.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
NOTE: Lab-specific information on decontamination/waste disposal may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Wearing proper PPE, please decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water.
Bromine
1/11/2013
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
•
Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardouswaste-program-hwp.html.
See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for general instructions on procedures for
disposing of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste
•
Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months.
•
Call EH&S for questions.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
Online SDS can be accessed at http://ucmsds.com.
Bromine
1/11/2013
Protocol/Procedure for Bromine
Preparation
Lab-specific
Information
List any other particular preparation requirements needs for this procedure (e.g., location of spill kit or keep water or
ignition sources away from procedure area).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Care should be taken when handling bromine to avoid reducing agents due to a potentially violent reaction.
Add lab-specific information not included above if needed (e.g., all work for this procedure is to take place in the
designated fume hood.)
All work with bromine should be carried out in a functioning fume hood
After reactions are complete, it is recommended that any excess bromine is quenched with a mild reducing
agent solution, such a sodium thiosulfate before workup
Procedure/Use
Scale
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves,
clothing)
Procedure Steps and Precautions
1. Bromine is
used in the lab as
a reagent in
chemical
reactions.
It may be
used in
quantities
ranging
from <1mL
up to 10
mL.
All work using Bromine
must be performed in a
ventilated fume hood.
Eye protection: Wear tightfitting safety goggles and face
shield when working with liquid
bromine.
Bromine is very hazardous upon
skin contact. Special Remarks on
Explosion Hazards:
Variations
must be
approved
by the PI.
Eliminate ignition
sources such as open
flames, hot surfaces,
steam baths, static
electricity, and operation
of mechanical and
electrical equipment that
is not intrinsically safe.
Ensure proper grounding
and avoid creating static
electricity. Be sure to
ground metal containers
when transferring
flammable liquids.
Bromine
Face protection: Wear a face
shield when handling
containers of Bromine
Gloves: Use Latex or Nitrile
Gloves when working with
bromine water. Work with
liquid bromine requires
fluorinated rubber gloves.
REACTS EXPLOSIVELY WITH
ACETYLENE, ACRYLONITRILE,
AMMONIA, DIMETHYL
FORMAMIDE, ETHYL
PHOSPHINE, HYDROGEN,
ISOBUTYROPHENONE, NICKEL
CARBONYL, NITROGEN
TRIIODIDE, OZONE, OXYGEN
DIFLUORIDE, PHOSPHORUS,
POTASSIUM, SILVER AZIDE,
SODIUM, & SODIUM CARBIDE.
Clothing: Long pants, closedtoed and closed-heeled shoes,
cotton-based clothing/attire, and
1/11/2013
Use in a fume hood and cap
container when not in use.
apron/lab coat offering known
bromine protection must be worn
for protection against bromine
hazards.
Notes
Bromine
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
1/11/2013
Dispose of Bromine-contaminated
gloves and glassware in the
appropriate waste container.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with bromine, designated personnel must provide training to his/her
laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work area
decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
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Bromine
UCLA- EH&S
8
Date: 9/23/12
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Bromine
UCLA- EH&S
9
Date: 9/23/12
Written By/Reviewed By: