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Chemical Name: Hydrobromic acid
Synonyms: Hydrogen bromide solution
Formula: HBr in aqueous solution
Common Uses: Organic synthesis, inorganic bromide production, catalyst or reagent in laboratories, extraction processes
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with sharp, pungent odor
Concentration Ranges: Usually varies from 33% to 48% by mass
Main Dangers: Corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract; inhalation can cause lung irritation, coughing, shortness of breath
Signal Words: Danger
Hazard Classes: Skin corrosion, serious eye damage, acute toxicity (inhalation), specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)
Pictograms: Corrosive, health hazard
Possible Symptoms: Burns, severe irritation, ulceration, delayed pulmonary edema
Chronic Exposure Effects: Erosion of teeth, chronic bronchial irritation, dermatitis
Main Component: Hydrobromic acid (HBr solution)
Concentration: Between 33% and 48% HBr by weight
Impurities: Trace bromine or chlorine-based compounds may appear
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with plenty of water for 15 minutes, seek medical help if burns appear
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately with water for 15 minutes while holding eyelids open, get urgent medical attention
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, call a physician
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical evaluation
Flammability: Hydrobromic acid does not burn, but can emit toxic fumes at high temperatures
Suitable Extinguishers: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen bromide gas, bromine fumes, corrosive aerosols
Special Protective Equipment: Full-body chemical protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire Response Insight: Prevent acid runoff as it contaminates water sources and damages metals and concrete
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate space, use chemical-resistant gloves and goggles
Containment: Prevent runoff to waterways, cover spills with inert, absorbent material like sand or vermiculite
Cleanup: Neutralize with soda ash or lime, collect residue in secure containers for hazardous waste disposal
Decontamination: Wash spill site after removal with copious amounts of water
Safe Handling: Always work in well-ventilated spaces, keep away from incompatible substances such as oxidizers and bases, use secondary containment
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers, keep in cool and dry areas, avoid direct sunlight
Segregation: Keep separate from reducing agents, combustibles, metallic powders, and organic materials
Engineering Controls: Fume hood, acid cabinets
Exposure Limits: Hydrobromic acid’s permissible exposure limit is often set at 3 ppm (8-hr TWA) as hydrogen bromide
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, safety shower stations nearby, acid-resistant working surfaces
Personal Protective Equipment: Acid-resistant gloves, splash goggles or face shield, lab coat or acid-impervious clothing, respiratory protection where inhalation risk is present
Hygiene Advice: Never touch face or eyes before removing contaminated gloves and washing thoroughly
Appearance: Colorless or faintly yellow liquid
Odor: Sharp, suffocating, acrid
Boiling Point: About 122°C for a 48% solution
pH: Less than 1 (very strongly acidic)
Density: Typically 1.49 g/cm³ for concentrated solution
Solubility: Miscible with water in all proportions
Vapor Pressure: Noticeably high at room temperature
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions
Incompatibilities: Strong bases, oxidizing agents, metals, ammonia
Hazardous Decomposition: Hydrogen bromide gas, bromine fumes develop on heating or mixing with incompatible materials
Polymerization: No polymerization risk
Acute Effects: Highly corrosive to tissue, causes severe burns, respiratory tract damage if inhaled
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged exposure can damage teeth and mucous membranes
Possible Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms: Redness, pain, blisters, coughing, chest pain, fluid buildup in lungs
Carcinogenicity: No clear evidence linking hydrobromic acid to cancer in humans; still, repeated exposure to strong acids increases respiratory risk
Environmental Risks: Spills cause rapid acidification of soil and water surfaces, harming aquatic organisms
Mobility: High in water; rapidly disperses and acidifies surroundings
Persistence & Degradability: Not persistent, but immediate changes to pH disrupt ecosystems
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely
Impact Insight: Acidic runoff damages water quality, impacts fish and invertebrates by altering habitat chemistry very rapidly even with small spills
Disposal Practices: Treat as hazardous waste, neutralize with alkaline agents under controlled conditions
Environmental Protection: Never pour into drains or natural waterways
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers with large amounts of water after neutralization before recycling or disposal, following hazardous waste regulations
Shipping Requirements: Hydrobronic acid falls under corrosive goods regulations
Packing: Use corrosion-proof containers with clear hazard labeling
Transport Precautions: Secure containers properly, prevent tipping or leaks, ensure accompanying personnel have spill control training
Incident Management: Emergency guidelines advise evacuation in case of large spills during transport, local authorities must be notified
Legal Control: Handled under chemical safety regulations, classified as dangerous good
Occupational Safety: Must comply with workplace hazardous materials protocols
Reporting Requirements: Certain quantities demand reporting to local environmental and safety authorities if released
Labeling Rules: Clearly mark containers with corrosive and specific acid identifiers for quick recognition
Regulatory Status Insight: Strict oversight on storage, handling, reporting, transport; failure to comply brings heavy penalties and creates health and safety risks for entire communities and ecosystems
