Lead(II) bromide (CAS 10031-22-8): storage and disposal
A bottle of lead(II) bromide in a school or university prep room is nearly always there for the electrolysis demonstration, and it tends to sit unused between runs. It is classified as harmful if swallowed or inhaled, as able to damage fertility or the unborn child, as damaging organs with repeated exposure and as very toxic to aquatic life. That reproductive statement is the reason it is locked away.
- CAS number
- 10031-22-8
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
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 toxic 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
The bottle usually lives in the physics-chemistry crossover corner of a prep room, close to the electrolysis kit, and that is the wrong place for it. A lead salt with a reproductive hazard belongs in a locked cupboard with a stock record, away from the demonstration equipment that gets taken out for lessons. Keep it in secure toxic-stock storage and segregate it from incompatible substances in accordance with the supplier safety data sheet. If the equipment has been used with it, any crucible or spoon that has held lead bromide is itself contaminated, so keep it with the stock rather than back in the general drawer. Date the label and note the quantity remaining.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Start with the container and its label. The bottle is opened rarely, so the useful checks are whether the cap still seals, whether crust has formed on the thread, and whether the label and stock record agree on what is inside. Lumps or damp clumping in a powder that was free-flowing mean moisture has entered. Lead bromide does not offer a long list of visible changes with age, so do not expect colour shifts or fumes to warn you. A bottle with no readable label, or one that has been topped up from another container, should be treated as an unidentified lead stock until it has been assessed.
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 toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
How it leaves the site matters because electrolysis residues tend to travel with it. Keep the unused salt in its original container, and keep anything that has been heated or used in a demonstration in a separate sealed tub marked as lead bromide residue, so the collector sees two different materials. Neither should go down a drain or into general waste, and nobody should try to clean crucibles with water first. The code is 16 05 06* in a laboratory pack or 16 05 07* for discarded inorganic stock outside one. A specialist collection groups lead stock away from acids and oxidisers.
| 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
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: electrolysis demonstration.
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
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child.
- H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- 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.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Can leftover lead bromide from the electrolysis demonstration go in the bin?
No. It is classified as very toxic to aquatic life and as able to damage fertility or the unborn child. Keep unused salt and any residue in sealed, labelled containers and request a specialist collection.
Where should the bottle be kept between lessons?
In a locked cupboard with a stock record, away from acids, oxidisers and the demonstration kit itself. Do not leave it on a shared prep bench or on the shelf with other salts.
What should we record before asking for collection?
The container size, what the label says, whether the cap seals, and whether any residue from a demonstration is mixed in. Keep residue in a separate labelled tub from the original stock.
Does lead bromide change with age?
It gives few visible signs. Look for damp lumps, a failing cap and an unreadable label. A bottle with no record of when it was bought should be reported rather than guessed at.
