Bromine is a naturally occurring element that is a liquid at room temperature. It is found naturally in the earth's crust and in seawater in various chemical forms. Products containing bromine are used in agriculture and sanitation and as fire retardants. Some compounds release bromine when they are exposed to intense UV light in the stratosphere. These compounds contribute to ozone depletion. This Element of Surprise segment features the following experts: Richard Oleschuk, department head, chemistry, Queen's University; and Robert Letcher, senior research scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada / National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University.

From the Curio.ca streaming audio-visual collection.