EPA Halogen Standards

Halogens are a group of non-metallic, highly reactive elements that can form toxic substances. The federal government has authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the use of halogens in various products.

Halogens

• Halogens consist of group of five elements including chlorine, fluorine, bromine, astatine and iodine. Bromine, a reddish-brown liquid, smells like bleach and fumes at room temperature. Iodine is a violet-gray or grayish-black solid that sublimates into a gas with an unpleasant odor. Fluorine is a greenish, pale yellow gas with a strong odor that combines easily with other elements. Chlorine is a greenish yellow gas that has a pungent smell. Astatine is a radioactive solid with a metallic color. These elements can serve as a substitute for hydrogen in some organic compounds. When combined with certain metals, they form salts.

Uses

• Halogens serve a variety of purposes in diverse fields, such as industrial and medical applications. Bromine was originally used as an additive in unleaded gasoline. Currently, it is typically found in dyes and disinfectants. Once a component of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), fluorine is found in toothpaste and rocket fuel. Iodine, a germ killing substance, is used in sanitation systems, specialized soaps and dyes. Due to its radioactive nature, astatine can be used as a radioactive tracer. Chlorine produces a range of consumer products including textiles, paper, insecticides, petroleum products, plastics, foodstuffs and medicines. Iodine and chlorine are also essential to human life.

Regulations

• Since halogens form toxic compounds that have negative effects on human health and the environment, the EPA regulates the amount of halogen content in some products, such as used oil. The EPA also requires the testing of substances to determine the amount of bromine, chlorine, fluorine, iodine or astatine contained in them.