Bromoform Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Bromoform
Chemical Name: Tribromomethane
CAS Number: 75-25-2
EC Number: 200-854-6
Synonyms: Methenyl tribromide, Bromoform
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, solvent, chemical intermediate
Supplier Details: Usually completed with business name, address, phone number for emergencies including the national poison control number
Emergency Contact: Most MSDS sheets point to CHEMTREC or local emergency hotlines for chemical exposure or spill events

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal), Skin irritation, Eye irritation, STOT (single exposure) affecting central nervous system and liver
GHS Label Elements: Skull and crossbones symbol, exclamation mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, suspected of causing cancer, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, may cause damage to liver or nervous system through prolonged exposure
Precautions: Avoid inhalation, ingestion, or skin and eye contact; do not handle without proper training or personal protective equipment (PPE); avoid release to the environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Bromoform
Concentration: 99% or higher (pure chemical)
Synonyms: Tribromomethane
Molecular Formula: CHBr3
Impurities: Trace dibromomethane, traces of other halomethanes rarely exceed 1%

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove from exposure, move to fresh air; monitor breathing, administer oxygen if breathing is difficult; seek medical attention right away
Skin Contact: Remove all contaminated clothing, wash affected skin with soap and plenty of running water, obtain medical advice
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids to ensure thorough irrigation, seek prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, offer water to drink if person is conscious, call poison center immediately
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, respiratory irritation, unconsciousness or central nervous system depression in severe cases
Immediate Medical Attention: Vital in case of difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or convulsions; always provide the MSDS and chemical label to medical personnel

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Bromoform is not easily ignited but can decompose at high temperatures, releasing toxic gases including bromine and phosgene
Fire Hazards: May emit corrosive and toxic fumes under fire conditions
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam; avoid water stream as runoff may be contaminated
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Firefighting Procedures: Keep containers cool, use water spray to disperse vapors and protect personnel, prevent discharge into drains or water sources

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Isolate area, ventilate, use suitable respiratory protection, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from entering sewers, waterways, or soil due to aquatic toxicity
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spill with inert material such as dry sand or earth, collect in labeled containers for disposal, wash area with plenty of water
Decontamination: Do not use strong oxidizers for cleanup, avoid any ignition sources
Reporting: Notify proper authorities if large spills happen, keep MSDS available for emergency teams

Handling and Storage

Handling Precautions: Avoid inhaling vapors or contact with skin and eyes, do not eat, drink or smoke while working
Storage Requirements: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location; containers kept tightly closed in a chemical safety cabinet away from light and incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, metal powders, strong bases, strong oxidizers
General Hygiene: Wash thoroughly after handling, keep storage area locked and restricted only to trained personnel
Special Instructions: Use proper grounding to prevent static discharge

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.5 ppm (skin), NIOSH REL: 0.5 ppm (skin), ACGIH TLV: 0.5 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, eyewash stations, and safety showers
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH approved respirator if exposure risk exceeds limits or during spill response
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), lab coat or apron
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles, face shield when splashing possible
General Protective Measures: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, keep PPE clean and in working order

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like but stronger
Molecular Weight: 252.73 g/mol
Melting Point: 8°C
Boiling Point: 149°C
Vapor Pressure: 5.7 mmHg at 25°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, miscible with ethanol, diethyl ether
Density: 2.89 g/cm³ at 20°C
Flash Point: None
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not easily achieved, decomposition takes precedence
Decomposition Temperature: Thermal decomposition above 150°C produces toxic and corrosive bromine vapors
Partition Coefficient n-octanol/water (log Pow): 2.38
Viscosity: 2.47 mPa·s at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at standard temperature and pressure, stores well when protected from light
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, ignition sources, direct sunlight
Materials to Avoid: Strong alkalis, reactive metals, oxidizing agents, amines, aluminum
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen bromide, bromine gas, phosgene, carbon oxides
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rats): 2,500 mg/kg; inhalation LC50 (rats, 4h): about 10,000 mg/m³
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Irritant, may cause redness and pain
Eye Damage/Irritation: Severe irritation, redness, tearing possible
Respiratory Sensitization: Possible irritation of nose, throat, and lungs
Ingestion Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, drowsiness, incoordination
Chronic Effects: Liver and kidney damage, possible carcinogen, neurotoxicity
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans), NTP reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
Target Organs: Liver, kidney, central nervous system

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, fish LC50 (96h): 48 mg/L (fathead minnow)
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent, slow to degrade, water and soil movement likely
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate potential, log Kow suggests possibility of bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: May leach to groundwater; volatile yet heavy, can contaminate water sources
Other Adverse Effects: Ozone depleting potential, not high but present; not expected to accumulate in the food chain in significant amounts

Disposal Considerations

Methods of Disposal: Must be incinerated in an approved chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose containers as hazardous waste, triple rinse, puncture
Precautions: Do not pour into drains, sewers, or environment; hand over to authorized hazardous waste disposal contractor
Relevant Laws: Disposal complies with local, regional, national, and international regulations related to hazardous waste

Transport Information

UN Number: 2515
UN Proper Shipping Name: Bromoform
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Special Precautions for Transport: Keep away from incompatible substances, packed in rigid, leak-proof, sealed containers
Labels: Toxic, Marine Pollutant symbol

Regulatory Information

OSHA Regulation: Listed as hazardous; subject to Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Status: Listed
SARA Title III: Section 313 (Toxic Release Inventory): Subject to reporting
RCRA Status: U225, RCRA hazardous waste
Clean Air Act: Subject to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
California Proposition 65: Listed as chemical known to cause cancer
Other Regulations: Globally Harmonized System (GHS), REACH registration in Europe may apply; local and national environmental authority reporting may be required