Laboratory
BROMINE

Agent Overview:			Bromine (CA), classified as a choking/pulmonary agent, is a brownish liquid 
				at room temperature, but can be converted into a gas when heated. 	
				Commercially, Bromine is used in producing gasoline anti-knock mixtures, 
				dyes, fumigants, poisons, photographic chemicals, and brominated vegetable 
				oils. Bromine is irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. 
				Exposure to Bromine may cause burning of the eyes, nose and throat, cough, 
				constriction, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, GI tract 
				bleeding, headache, watery eyes, and brown discoloration of the mucous 
				membranes and the tongue. Severe exposure can result in systemic 	
				poisoning, kidney or brain damage from low blood pressure.

Lab Specimen Submittal:		Authorization by Dr. Jane Getchell, Director DPHL; Christina Pleasanton, 
				Deputy Director DPHL; or Tara Lydick, Chemical Terrorism Coordinator. 

Types of Specimens		Clinical Specimens: Follow CDC’s Specimen-Collection Protocol for a
Necessary for Testing:		Chemical-Exposure Event (urine: 25 mL- 50 mL in screw-cap container; 	
				whole blood: 3x4 mL purple top vacuum-filled (EDTA) tubes, 1x5 mL gray or 
				green top vacuum-filled tubes, 2 empty containers for each lot # submitted). 
		
				Environmental Samples: Collect a minimum of a pea-sized amount of 	
				material. Collect solids in 50 mL centrifuge tubes and liquids in certified clean 
				glass containers. Provide empty control containers for each sample type 	
				submitted.

Packaging Instructions:		Clinical Specimens: Ship to DPHL as a Biological Substance, Category B 
				(Packing Instruction 650). Freeze urine specimen on collection, ship on dry 
				ice. Refrigerate whole blood specimens on collection, but do not freeze.
			
				Environmental Samples: Place the packaged sample containers in a 	
				secondary unbreakable container.

				All: Use a minimum of two layers of initialed and dated tamper-proof, 	
				waterproof forensic evidence tape for each submission. Avoid covering the 
				sample labels.

Receiving Specimens		Authorized specimens are received at the rear (loading dock) entrance of 
at DPHL:			the laboratory. Submitters must present ID and have proper forms completed.

Handling of Specimens:		Chain of custody procedures must be followed. Chain of Custody and 	
				Request for Testing Forms are required for all specimens. 

Reporting Results:		Reference laboratory will notify DPHL as soon as possible. The Potential 
				Exposure and Information Call Log and Information Form will provide 	
				information for testing results notification outside of the DPHL.

Contact Information:		Jane Getchell, DrPH, DPHL Director: 302-223-1520 (24/7 coverage).
 


24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 05/2010