50
Trace Elements in Abiotic and Biotic Environments
any effects. Common symptoms of Br toxicity are chlorosis, necrosis, and dark green
color of young leaves. Citrus seedlings are the most sensitive to excess Br in soils,
and may be used as an indicator of excess Br in soils.
8.6 HUMANS
According to Emsley (2011), the Br content in human body is 260 mg, and averages
in the blood at 5 mg/L, in the bones and tissues at 7 mg/kg, and in the rib bones at
≤3.9 mg/kg (Zaichik et al. 2011).
Exposure to Br may occur via inhalation, oral, dermal, or ocular routes. It is a gas
and, therefore, inhalation exposure is the most relevant route to humans. Bromine
is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state, and its vapors irritate eyes and throat.
Inhalation of Br vapors is very toxic.
Pure Br is a serious health hazard to humans. As a gas, it can burn the eyes,
throat, and lungs. As a liquid spilled on skin, it produces painful blisters and burns.
Swallowed Br can damage the nerves and brain.
Bromine metabolism in most living organisms is that of the bromide ion. Species
differences in tissue Br concentrations are small and the element does not accumulate
to any marked degree in any particular organ or tissue, which might indicate a specific
physiological function of this ion. After oral ingestion, Br is rapidly and completely
absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and analogously to chloride, distributed almost
exclusively in the extracellular fluid (with the exception of erythrocytes) (Pavelka 2004).
Following ingestion, Br liquid is absorbed from the intestine by passive, paracellular
transport. Bromine crosses blood cell membranes in an electrically neutral form and
is distributed widely into various tissues, and mainly into the extracellular fluid of the
body. Following inhalation, Br is absorbed by the lungs, and its deposition in the lungs
is primarily determined by the water solubility of Br. High inhalation of Br concentrations, for example, in confined spaces, may also cause marked irritant effects on lungs.
There are no data regarding the metabolism of inhaled Br; however, Br has been
known to quickly form bromide in living tissue. Bromide is partitioned in the body
similar to Cl and acts by replacing itself. Bromide ion is a central nervous system
depressant, and its adverse effects are results of overdoses.
The most important health effects that can be caused by Br-containing organic
contaminants are malfunctioning of the nervous system and disturbances in genetic
materials. Br organic can also cause damage to organs such as liver, kidneys, lungs,
and milt; they can cause stomach and gastrointestinal malfunctioning, too. Some
forms of Br organic compounds, such as ethylene bromide, can even cause cancer.
Humans can absorb organic Br through the skin, with food and during breathing. Organic Br is widely used as sprays to kill insects and other unwanted pests.
However, they are poisonous not only to the organisms, which they are used against,
but also to larger animals, as well as to humans.
Through food and drinking water, humans absorb high doses of inorganic Br.
These bromines can damage the nervous system and the thyroid gland. Bromine
disrupts the thyroid gland and interferes with the production of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid gland relies on I obtained through the foods to produce thyroid hormones,
which are essential for normal growth, development, and metabolism. Because Br
Trace Elements in Abiotic and Biotic Environments
any effects. Common symptoms of Br toxicity are chlorosis, necrosis, and dark green
color of young leaves. Citrus seedlings are the most sensitive to excess Br in soils,
and may be used as an indicator of excess Br in soils.
8.6 HUMANS
According to Emsley (2011), the Br content in human body is 260 mg, and averages
in the blood at 5 mg/L, in the bones and tissues at 7 mg/kg, and in the rib bones at
≤3.9 mg/kg (Zaichik et al. 2011).
Exposure to Br may occur via inhalation, oral, dermal, or ocular routes. It is a gas
and, therefore, inhalation exposure is the most relevant route to humans. Bromine
is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state, and its vapors irritate eyes and throat.
Inhalation of Br vapors is very toxic.
Pure Br is a serious health hazard to humans. As a gas, it can burn the eyes,
throat, and lungs. As a liquid spilled on skin, it produces painful blisters and burns.
Swallowed Br can damage the nerves and brain.
Bromine metabolism in most living organisms is that of the bromide ion. Species
differences in tissue Br concentrations are small and the element does not accumulate
to any marked degree in any particular organ or tissue, which might indicate a specific
physiological function of this ion. After oral ingestion, Br is rapidly and completely
absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and analogously to chloride, distributed almost
exclusively in the extracellular fluid (with the exception of erythrocytes) (Pavelka 2004).
Following ingestion, Br liquid is absorbed from the intestine by passive, paracellular
transport. Bromine crosses blood cell membranes in an electrically neutral form and
is distributed widely into various tissues, and mainly into the extracellular fluid of the
body. Following inhalation, Br is absorbed by the lungs, and its deposition in the lungs
is primarily determined by the water solubility of Br. High inhalation of Br concentrations, for example, in confined spaces, may also cause marked irritant effects on lungs.
There are no data regarding the metabolism of inhaled Br; however, Br has been
known to quickly form bromide in living tissue. Bromide is partitioned in the body
similar to Cl and acts by replacing itself. Bromide ion is a central nervous system
depressant, and its adverse effects are results of overdoses.
The most important health effects that can be caused by Br-containing organic
contaminants are malfunctioning of the nervous system and disturbances in genetic
materials. Br organic can also cause damage to organs such as liver, kidneys, lungs,
and milt; they can cause stomach and gastrointestinal malfunctioning, too. Some
forms of Br organic compounds, such as ethylene bromide, can even cause cancer.
Humans can absorb organic Br through the skin, with food and during breathing. Organic Br is widely used as sprays to kill insects and other unwanted pests.
However, they are poisonous not only to the organisms, which they are used against,
but also to larger animals, as well as to humans.
Through food and drinking water, humans absorb high doses of inorganic Br.
These bromines can damage the nervous system and the thyroid gland. Bromine
disrupts the thyroid gland and interferes with the production of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid gland relies on I obtained through the foods to produce thyroid hormones,
which are essential for normal growth, development, and metabolism. Because Br