Bromine - a prolific toxin in our bodies
Bromine has been long considered to be toxic to the body. One 2014 study purported that bromine, in trace amounts is an essential element in the body for building collagen, however, this is currently considered to be controversial.
The U.S. is exposed to high amounts of the goitrogen bromide via our food and water supply. In all its inorganic and organic forms:
| Sources of Bromine | |
|---|---|
| Medications | Foods / Other |
| Atrovent Inhaler Atrovent Nasal Spray Ipratropium Nasal Spray Spiriva Handihaler Pro-Pantheline Pyridostigmine bromide Anaesthesia | All bakery products (common in grains, bleached flour); Soda, nuts, oils, several plant foods; Mountain Dew/ Gatorade/AMP Energy Drink; Citrus fruit (fumigated with methyl bromide); Pools & Hot tubs -used as cleaner; Used to kill pests (termites, rats, insects, fungus, etc.) that might be present in homes, foods, or soil. Fire retardant chemical; |
- Methyl bromide (bromomethane) is used as a soil fumigant for seed production. Although, the Montreal Protocol has severely restricted its use internationally, the U.S. has successfully lobbied for critical-use exemptions. In 2004, over 7 million pounds of bromomethane were applied to California. Applications include tomato, strawberry, and ornamental shrub growers, and also fumigation of ham/pork products.
- Methyl bromide for post-harvest fumigation of commodities. E.g. grains, spices, nuts, fruits and tobacco, but mainly strawberries, predominately in California;
- Brominated vegetable oil is added to citrus drinks. Helps suspend flavoring in the liquid.
- Water supply. 9,090,000 kg/yr;
Sticht, G., Käferstein, H., Bromine. In Handbook on Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds -Seiler HG and Sigel, H Editors, Marcel Dekker Inc, 143-151, 1988.
- Bromide replaced iodide as a dough conditioner in most baked goods in the 1980’s
Bromine has goitrogenic, carcinogenic and narcoleptic properties. Bromine has been found to have a “zombifying” potential. Bromide is thought to be a neurotoxin and it’s use as a sedative provides support for this, since an overdose of sodium bromide can lead to neurological issues. Sangster et al, The Influence of Sodium Bromide in Man: A Study in Human Volunteers with Special Emphasis on the Endocrine and the Central Nervous System 1983;
For body detoxification of bromide, the halides iodide and chloride are the most effective (Iodine pulls bromine from storage sites and chloride increases bromine excretion in urine).
