Hydrogen bromide

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

other: clinical observation

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Clinical case study.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Chemical Pneumonitis Due to Exposure to Bromine Compounds

Author:

Kraut, A., and Lilis, R.

Year:

1988

Bibliographic source:

Chest, Vol. 94, Iss. 1, pp. 208-210

Materials and methods

Study type:

poisoning incident

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Hydrogen bromide

EC Number:

233-113-0

EC Name:

Hydrogen bromide

Cas Number:

10035-10-6

Molecular formula:

BrH

IUPAC Name:

bromide

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Subjects:

- Number of subjects exposed: 1
- Sex: Male
- Age: 60 years old
-
- Other: Laboratory Technician

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Route of exposure:

inhalation

Reason of exposure:

unintentional, occupational

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

Accidental exposure to mixture of hydrogen bromide (HBr) and phosphorus tribromide (PBr3). Pulmonary infiltrates developed consistent with chemical pneumonities, which developed into a protracted illness.

Results and discussion

Results of examinations:

Chest x-rays led to diagnosis of chemical pneumonitis. Pulmonary infiltrates did not completely resolve. Relapses occurred at 1 and 3 months, and also at 7 months when possible exposed to other respiratory irritants. Chest x-rays had normalized at 10 months after exposure, but transbronchial biopsy showed a diffusion abnormality consistent with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. The recurrence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates without documented resolution suggested bronchiolitis obliterans.

Effectivity of medical treatment:

Though respiratory symptoms resolved initially, relapses occurred at 1, 3 and 7 months. At 10 months, the chest X-rays showed normalization, but a transbronchial biopsy showed interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. History and pathology were consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans, a potentially fatal complication of toxic irritant gas exposure.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Accidental exposure to vapors from a mixture of HBr and PBr3 caused chemical pneumonitis, and a protracted illness. Transbronchial biopsy at 10 months showed fibrosis consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans, a potentially fatal complication of toxic irritant gas exposure.

Executive summary:

Accidental exposure to vapors from a mixture of HBr and PBr₃ caused chemical pneumonitis, and a protracted illness. Transbronchial biopsy at 10 months showed fibrosis consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans, a potentially fatal complication of toxic irritant gas exposure.