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Ecotoxicological information

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

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Description of key information

Hydrogen bromide (HBr) forms hydrobromic acid in water.  The toxic effect seen in aquatic organisms is from the acidity of the resulting solution, which is a function of the HBr concentration.  Though there are minimal data on hydrogen bromide (HBr) available there are sufficient data available on the analogue substances hydrogen chloride (HCl)  and phosphorus tribromide which hydrolyses to phosphonic acid and HBr. (Read-across justifications in Section 8.6 Repeat dose toxicity.)
Evaluation of the analogous substance hydrogen chloride under the OECD ICCA HPV Programme (2003) stated that it was not considered useful to calculate a PNEC for hydrochloric acid because factors such as the buffer capacity, the natural pH and the fluctuation of the pH are very specific for a certain ecosystem. There is a possibility that the emission of hydrochloric acid could locally decrease the pH in the aquatic environment. Normally, the pH of effluents is measured very frequently to maintain the water quality. In addition to that, water quality including the range of pH could be managed properly to prevent adverse effects on the aquatic environment based on the criteria of the pH in rivers and lakes. Therefore, a significant decrease of the pH of the receiving water is not expected. Generally the changes in pH of the receiving water should stay within the natural range of the pH, and for this reason, adverse effects on the aquatic environment are not expected due to anthropogenic or naturally occurring hydrochloric acid. Hydrobromic acid will react in the same manner as hydrochloric acid, so the evaluation is equally valid for hydrobromic acid. HBr in water forms hydrobromic acid which dissociates to ions (H+ and Br-).
Toxicity data for the bromide ion is available in other submissions so adequate information for environmental classification and labelling of the dissociation products of hydrobromic acid is available.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

HBr forms hydrobromic acid in water. The toxic effect seen to aquatic organisms is from the acidity of the resulting solution, which is a function of the HBr concentration. Though there are minimal data on hydrogen bromide (HBr) available there are sufficient data available on the analogue substances hydrogen chloride (HCl) and phosphorus tribromide which hydrolyses to phosphonic acid and HBr. (Read-across justifications in Section 8.6 Repeat dose toxicity.)

Evaluation of the analogous substance hydrogen chloride under the OECD ICCA HPV Programme (2003) stated that it was not considered useful to calculate a PNEC for hydrochloric acid because factors such as the buffer capacity, the natural pH and the fluctuation of the pH are very specific for a certain ecosystem. There is a possibility that the emission of hydrochloric acid could locally decrease the pH in the aquatic environment. Normally, the pH of effluents is measured very frequently to maintain the water quality. In addition to that, water quality including the range of pH could be managed properly to prevent adverse effects on the aquatic environment based on the criteria of the pH in rivers and lakes. Therefore, a significant decrease of the pH of the receiving water is not expected. Generally the changes in pH of the receiving water should stay within the natural range of the pH, and for this reason, adverse effects on the aquatic environment are not expected due to anthropogenic or naturally occurring hydrochloric acid. Hydrobromic acid will react in the same manner as hydrochloric acid, so the evaluation is equally valid for hydrobromic acid.HBr in water forms hydrobromic acid which dissociates to ions (H+and Br-).Toxicity data for the bromide ion is available in other submissions so adequate information for environmental classification and labelling of the dissociation products of hydrobromic acid is available.