Immediate signs and symptoms of exposure to bromine. Breathing bromine gas could cause you to cough, have trouble breathing, get a headache, have irritation of your mucous membranes (inside your mouth, nose, etc.), be dizzy, or have watery eyes.

Bromine poisoning (bromism) can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, and its symptoms in 2026 are categorized by the severity of exposure. Inhalation typically causes immediate respiratory distress, including a sharp, acrid cough, shortness of breath, and a burning sensation in the throat and lungs. Skin contact results in painful chemical burns and a characteristic brownish discoloration of the skin. If ingested, bromine causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting with a "bloody" appearance, and a distinct "bromine odor" on the breath. Chronic or high-level exposure often leads to neurological symptoms, such as profound confusion, tremors, "bromine acne" (skin rashes), and in extreme cases, coma or organ failure. Because bromine is a highly corrosive oxidant used in some industrial processes and pool sanitizers, immediate treatment in 2026 involves removing the victim from the source, flushing the skin/eyes with copious amounts of water, and providing oxygen or supportive care in an emergency department.