Hydrobromic acid (CAS 10035-10-6): storage and disposal
Hydrobromic acid is a 48% solution found in college and university stores, mostly in chemistry teaching labs and research prep rooms. It causes severe skin burns and eye damage and may irritate the airways, so the cap and the shelf matter as much as the label. What it sits near and how far the liquid has coloured decide how a bottle is described for collection.
- CAS number
- 10035-10-6
- Form
- Solution
- Storage class
- Acid
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Harmful or irritant
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as acid stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Sulfides, cyanides, hypochlorites and chlorates are the stock to move away from a bottle of 48% hydrobromic acid. Ammonium sulfide solution and iron(II) sulfide give toxic hydrogen sulfide with it, potassium cyanide gives highly toxic hydrogen cyanide, and bleach compounds such as calcium hypochlorite and chloramine T release toxic chlorine. Potassium chlorate can form explosive chlorine dioxide, and the ferricyanide and ferrocyanide salts can free hydrogen cyanide. Keep the bottle low down on an acid-resistant tray in a ventilated corrosive store with the cap fully seated, because the vapour irritates the airways and acid fumes attack caps and seals. Alkalis need a separate shelf.
How to tell it has deteriorated
A fresh bottle is clear to pale, so a yellow or brown tint stands out. The acid slowly oxidises in air and light, forming bromine that colours the liquid, and an old, often opened bottle is the likeliest to show it. The colour is not something to try to remove. Around the cap, look for crust, a perished or brittle seal and corroded metal nearby, all signs that vapour has been escaping. Cracked glass and a faded label matter too, because a 48% bottle with no readable strength is hard to describe. A tinted bottle should stay capped on its tray until it is collected.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a corrosive acid laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
It goes out through a registered waste carrier on a specialist collection, and by no other route. It must never go into a sink, a drain, a bin or a skip, and it must not be diluted or neutralised first. As an inorganic acid it is usually quoted as 16 05 06* in a lab pack, or 16 05 07* if the bottle travels on its own. Say on the booking whether the 48% bottle is the original, whether the liquid has tinted and whether the neck is crusted. List hydrobromic acid separately from oxidising acids, sulfides, cyanides, bleach and other incompatible chemicals. The specialist collector determines compatible packing arrangements.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- FlammableOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- AlkaliAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- OxidiserMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- ToxicToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- AcetoneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Ammonia solutionAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Ammonium sulfide solutionSulfides release toxic hydrogen sulfide gas with acids.
- Calcium hypochloriteHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
- Chloramine THypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
- EthanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- FormalinToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- HexaneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
Show 16 more
- Hydrogen peroxideMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Iron(II) sulfideSulfides release toxic hydrogen sulfide gas with acids.
- Mercury(II) chlorideToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- MethanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Potassium chlorateChlorates and strong acids can form explosive chlorine dioxide.
- Potassium cyanideCyanides release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas with acids.
- Potassium ferricyanideHeating or strong acids can release toxic hydrogen cyanide from these complexes.
- Potassium ferrocyanideHeating or strong acids can release toxic hydrogen cyanide from these complexes.
- Potassium hydroxideAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Sodium azideAzides release highly toxic and explosive hydrazoic acid with acids.
- Sodium chlorateChlorates and strong acids can form explosive chlorine dioxide.
- Sodium cyanideCyanides release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas with acids.
- Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
- Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
- Sodium nitriteNitrites release toxic nitrogen oxides with acids.
- Sodium sulfideSulfides release toxic hydrogen sulfide gas with acids.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: 48%.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P410+P403 Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Why has our hydrobromic acid turned yellow?
The acid slowly oxidises in air and light, which gives the liquid a yellow or brown tint. It points to an old bottle or one opened often. It is still the same corrosive acid, so keep the cap on, check the neck for crust and arrange collection.
Which stock should never share a shelf with it?
Sulfides, cyanides, ferricyanides, hypochlorite bleach compounds and chlorates. With acids they give off toxic hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide or chlorine, or can form explosive chlorine dioxide. Alkalis also need their own space because they react with strong heat.
Can we top up one bottle from another to save space before collection?
No. Do not combine leftovers. Each bottle should stay as supplied, labelled with name and strength, so the collector can group it correctly. Mixing acids from different bottles also makes the contents harder to describe accurately.
