Chemical Properties
Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) is a colorless, heavy, non-burnable/non-flammable liquid. It was formerly used as a flame retardant, a solvent for fats and waxes and because
of its high density for mineral separation. Now, it is only used as a reagent or intermediate in organic chemistry. Small amounts of BDCM are also made in chemical plants for
use in laboratories or in making other chemicals. On contact with hot surfaces or flames,
BDMC decomposes forming toxic and corrosive gases, including hydrogen bromide and
hydrogen chloride and reacts with strong bases, strong oxidants, and magnesium. BDMC
is found in chlorinated drinking water as a consequence of the reaction between chlorine,
added during water treatme
General Description
Clear colorless liquid.
Reactivity Profile
DICHLOROBROMOMETHANE(75-27-4) may react with strong bases and magnesium. Incompatible with oxidizing materials .
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly water soluble.
Health Hazard
On ingestion, BDMC causes damage to the kidneys, liver, and impaired functio
Health Hazard
SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include irritation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. It may also cause narcosis. Other symptoms may include nausea, dizziness and headache. It may also cause liver and kidney damage. Central nervous system effects may also occur.
Fire Hazard
Literature sources indicate that this chemical is nonflammable.
Description
Bromodichloromethane is a liquid. Molecularweight=163.8; Specific gravity (H2O:1)=1.98; Boilingpoint=90℃. Odor threshold=about 1675 mg/m3. Solublein water.
Uses
A volatile halogenated methane present in trace amounts in drinking water as a result of the water treatment process. It is also present in swimming pools due to chlorination and can be used as tracers to identify water leaks. It is useful as chain transfer agents in PVC polymerization.
Uses
As a chemical intermediate for organic
synthesis and as a laboratory reagent; formerly
used as a solvent and flame retardant.
Currently, the major source of bromodichloromethane
in the environment is from its formation as a by-product during chlorination
of water.
Uses
Chemical reagent, intermediate in organic synthesis.
Definition
ChEBI: A one-carbon compound that is methane substituted by a bromo and two chloro groups. It occurs as a contaminant in drinking water.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) induces steatohepatitic injury in human liver. BDCM induces the cell proliferation in different tissues and kidney damage by renal tuble cell proliferation in male F344 rats.
Potential Exposure
This compound may find applicationin organic synthesis.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seekmedical attention immediately. If this chemical contactsthe skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove fromexposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing hasstopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transferpromptly to a medical facility. When this chemical hasbeen swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Carcinogenicity
Bromodichloromethane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
Source
MCLG: zero; MCL: 0.08 mg/L. Total for all trihalomethanes
cannot exceed a concentration of 0.08 mg/L. In addition, a DWEL of 700 μg/L was recommended
(U.S. EPA, 2000).
By-product in chlorination of drinking water and use of fire extinguishers (quoted,
Verschueren, 1983).
Environmental Fate
Biological. Bromodichloromethane showed significant degradation with gradual adaptation in a
static-culture flask-screening test (settled domestic wastewater inoculum) conducted at 25 °C. At
concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L, percent losses after 4 wk of incubation were 59 and 51,
respectively. At a substrate concentration of 5 mg/L, 8% was lost due to volatilization after 10 d
(Tabak et al., 1981).
Chemical/Physical. The estimated hydrolysis half-life in water at 25 °C and pH 7 is 137 yr
(Mabey and Mill, 1978). Reported products of hydrolysis include carbon monoxide, hydrochloric
and hydrobromic acids (Ellington et al., 1993; Kollig, 1993).
At influent concentrations of 1.0, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mg/L, the GAC adsorption capacities at
pH 5.3 were 7.9, 1.9, 0.47, and 0.12 mg/g, respectively (Dobbs and Cohen, 1980).
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Store in a refrigerated space in a tightly closedcontainer. Protect from light. A regulated, marked areashould be established where this chemical is handled,used, or stored in compliance with OSHA Standard1910.1045.
Shipping
Toxic, liquids, organic, n.o.s. requires a shippinglabel of “POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS.” It falls intoHazard Class 6.1 and Packing Group III.
Toxics Screening Level
The initial risk screening level (IRSL) for bromodichloromethane is calculated according to
Rule 231 (1 ): IRSL = 0.06 μg/m3
