Total Bromide

An inorganic element from the sea

Bromide is an inorganic element that occurs in natural environments, such as soils, water, or plants. Its presence in sea salt aerosols, which can travel from the sea inland, is particularly noteworthy. Sea salt aerosols typically exhibit a specific chloride/bromide ratio. When these aerosols encounter agricultural soils and plants, their bromide content can significantly increase. The detectable amount depends on how far the agricultural areas are from the coastline.

Highly ozone-damaging pesticides

A significant reason for examining bromide despite its natural occurrence is that it is a degradation product of methyl bromide, a formerly widely used fumigant for protecting plants, agricultural yields, and buildings. Due to its toxicity to humans and its serious harmful effects on the ozone layer, the use of methyl bromide as a fumigant was gradually phased out under the international “Montreal Protocol” treaty in 1987. Since 2015, the use of methyl bromide as a pesticide, storage, and fumigant is completely banned. The same applies to 1,2-dibromoethane, which has been banned as a fumigant since the late 1980s. The use of gaseous substances such as methyl bromide or 1,2-dibromoethane leads to the rapid formation of bromide ions, which provide an indication of a possible prohibited treatment. Therefore, detection of such a treatment is usually not done by analyzing the fumigants themselves but indirectly through the existence of bromide. The maximum residue levels are set out in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

GALAB Laboratories offers bromide analysis in food to ensure compliance with EU regulations.