Bromum

It is found as a bromide in nature. It is used in gasoline, natural gas, photographic liquids and in medicine as a sedative, now obsolete.

Bromine releases irritating reddish vapors and can pass into milk; rashes and drowsiness in infants have been reported.

At the level of occupational risk to the nursing mother ^{(INSHT 2024)}, only two risk phrases (former R-phrases, now H-phrases for Hazard) or precautionary phrases (P-phrases) should appear on the safety data sheet of a product:

• H362 (ant. R64): “May harm breastfed infants.”
• P263: “Avoid contact during pregnancy and breastfeeding.”

Six other phrases to consider during breastfeeding relate to the carcinogenic, mutagenic or cumulative power of a product:

• H350 (ant.R45 and R49): 'May cause cancer'”.
• H351 (ant. R40): “Possible carcinogenic effects”.
• H370 (ant. R39): “Causes damage to organs”.
• H371 (ant. R68): “May cause damage to organs”.
• H372 (ant R48): “Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure”.
• H373 (ant R33): “May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure”.

Based on the absence of these phrases in the safety data sheet ^{(INSHT 2024, p 41)} of bromine, it would not be necessary to remove the breastfeeding mother from her workplace, it being sufficient for the company to comply with the legal requirements of maximum environmental exposure values (VLA-ED < 0.1 ppm) through good ventilation of the premises and for the worker to follow the recommended rules of prudence (gloves, hand washing, change of clothes, etc.).

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk derived from low levels of environmental contaminants in human milk, in many cases lower than those of cow's milk or other foods. ^{(Mead 2008)}