About Bromate

Bromate is an inorganic ion and an oxidizing agent that contains bromine at its highest oxidation state of +5. It is a colorless and tasteless ion with very low volatility.

How Does Bromate Get into Your Drinking Water

Bromate is found in drinking water that comes from two primary sources. This ion is either a residue or a disinfection byproduct (DBP) in drinking water sources. Since bromate is a disinfectant byproduct, it can easily get into your drinking water when ozone reacts with the naturally occurring bromide in the disinfected water source. This is the more common way for the ion to get into water sources. It can also be present in your drinking water as a residue in hypochlorite solutions. Either way, it may cause serious water issues once it enters into your pipelines undetected.

Several factors affect the formation of bromate in disinfected drinking water. Among these are the pH of the water source, the concentration of bromide ion, and the amount of ozone available.

What are the Health Risks Associated with Bromate

Acute exposure or ingestion of bromate in drinking water may lead to kidney or nervous system damages, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Continuous exposure to high levels of bromate may also result in hearing loss. According to studies on human exposure to bromate in drinking water, drinking contaminated water contributes to the increase in the risk of cancer. Women of childbearing age and children are susceptible to the negative effects of bromate in drinking water. If the levels are more than the maximum contaminant level (MCL), the use and consumption of the water must be stopped to avoid its adverse effects on human health. Early detection is important to prevent severe health problems.

What is the EPA’s Standards for Bromate in Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum contaminant Level (MCL) for the water contaminant in private and public water supplies at 10 ppb. If your drinking water contains the impurity at an excess level, the best thing to do is to contact your provider to inform them about the water issue. The first action is to inform the water authorities so they can provide the best solution for your problem.

What Treatment is Recommended for Removing Bromate from Drinking Water

Bromate is a tough customer to eliminate from your feed water if you can’t remove it from the water source. There are several removal treatments used to get rid of the contaminant from drinking water. Among the most effective is the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) to filter the pollutant before they reach your faucet.

A water filter system with the right media type and treatment process can remove the contaminant. Check the quality of your drinking water with a complete water test kit if you’re worried about potential contaminants like bromite. Afterward, install a whole house filter system like AquaOx’s which is a reliable product that can help safeguard your loved ones. Get one today, and protect your family from the potential health threats of bromate and other contaminants found in your drinking water.

Negative ions or salts derived from bromic acid, HBrO3.

BROMATES, INORGANIC, N.O.S. is a colorless to light colored solid. Slightly soluble in water and denser than water. contact may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Record Name: BROMATES, INORGANIC, N.O.S.
URL: https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/2640

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