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Trace Elements in Abiotic and Biotic Environments
Bromine is used as a food additive in flour and in some fruit-flavored soft drinks.
Bromine is used as an additive in the forms of K bromate and brominated vegetable
oil. In citrus-flavored beverages, brominated vegetable oil keeps citrus flavors suspended throughout the fluid. When it is added to flour, KBrO 3 strengthens bread
dough and improves the texture of finished products.
The amount of Br allowed in food and beverages is limited by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. Acceptable daily intake (ADI) for Br ion is 1 mg/kg bw/day
(WHO 1995). Estimated median daily intake of Br worldwide, from food and water,
is 2–5 mg/day. In Japan, the total intake of Br was 8–12 mg, which is about 20% of
ADI (Matsuda et al. 1994).
Bromoform (tribromomethane, CHBr 3 ) and dibromochloromethane (ClCHBr 2 )
are formed as by-products when Cl is added to water supply systems. Then, exposure to bromoform may occur from the consumption of chlorinated drinking
water. Trihalomethanes (THMs) in swimming pools using Br agents indicate that
in swimming pools, besides inhalation, dermal absorption is a relevant route for
the incorporation of THMs, particularly those with lower degree of bromination
(Lourencetti et al. 2012).