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The article discusses a catalytic pretreatment process that removes olefinic materials from a petrochemical refining process, thus improving quality of aromatic streams. In a typical petrochemical facility using an adsorption process for paraxylene separation and a liquid-liquid extraction process for benzene and toluene production, there are at least two treater units to reduce the olefin contaminants, or Bromine Index. One unit is located upstream of the xylene fractionation tower.

Presents updates on matters related to methyl bromide (MBR) application in the U.S. as of December 2003. Information on the MBR application for critical use; Recommendation on MBR application issued by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel; Applications filed through the Environmental Protection Agency requesting Critical Use Exemption.

The article informs that senators have urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to form a regulation group for brominated flame retardants as these compounds have adverse nervous system effects and may cause cancer.

The article deals with the hazardous substances found in the Apple Inc. iPhone, according to the tests run in Great Britain by Greenpeace. Tests revealed the iPhone contains two types of hazardous substances--toxic brominated compounds, indicating the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFR), and hazardous polyvinyl chloride (PVC)--which have already been eliminated by other mobile phone makers. Greenpeace claimed that an independent scientific laboratory tested the components of the iPhone and confirmed the presence of brominated compounds.

The article reports on the claims of environmentalist organization Greenpeace on the presence of toxic brominated compounds and polyvinyl chloride in Apple's iPhone mobile telephone. Greenpeace stated that an independent scientific laboratory tested 18 components of the iPhone. Mobile phone makers Motorola and Sony Ericsson were credited by Greenpeace as having products on the market with BFR free components. California-based Center for Environmental Health announced that it would take legal action against Apple based on the data.

The article reports on the results of a study on atmospheric measurements of iodine oxide and bromine oxide above the Antarctic snowpack. The study shows that the chemicals participate in destroying ozone and change the oxidizing potential of the region’s atmosphere. Researchers directly measured concentrations of the two chemicals using a long-path differential-optical absorption spectrometer. They also used a photochemical model to estimate the effect of halogen chemistry during the spring.

The article offers news briefs on the specialty chemicals industry as of November 8, 2006. BASF has opened an application center at Mangalore, India for the development of automotive original equipment manufacturing coatings. Albemarle will increase prices worldwide on its entire line of brominated fine chemicals produced in Port-de-Bouc, France.

The article reports that parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer have agreed to reduce the use of methyl bromide. Developed countries may use only 7,466 metric tons of the agricultural fumigant. The protocol requires developed countries to phased out the use of methyl bromide.

Reports on the elimination of price protection mechanisms for the flame retardants and bromine performance products of Great Lakes Chemical Corp. as of July 14, 2004. Reason for the move of the company to eliminate price protection mechanisms; Plans of the company to impose surcharge on all phenol-containing phosphate esters; Percentage of increase in the price of brominated flame retardants in April 2004.

Reports on the research results by Shlomo Rozen and colleagues from Tel Aviv University regarding the use of bromine trifluoride as a versatile fluorinator. Avoidance by the scientific community from using the chemical compound due to its violent reaction to water and oxygen rich organic solvents; Use of the compound for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications; Conversion of alkyl halides into carboxylic acids; Transformation procedure.

Reports on the plan of Albermarle to establish three virtual technology centers to help position the company in the emerging scientific fields focusing on bromine technology, nanotechnology and process safety technology.

Presents news items on chemistry and engineering in the U.S. as of May 19, 2003. Observations on bromine monoxide emitted from a volcano in Monstserat, West Indies.