1-Bromopropane (n-Propyl Bromide)
1-Bromopropane can harm the reproductive system and the nervous system.
It causes sterility in both male and female test animals, and harms the developing fetus
Health
when tested in pregnant animals. 1-Bromopropane can damage the nerves, causing
weakness, pain, numbness, and paralysis. It will soon be tested in animals to find out if it
Hazard
can cause cancer, as many similar chemicals do. The effects of 1-bromopropane on human
health have not been well studied. However, a few human case reports suggest that
ALERT
1-bromopropane can harm the nervous system. 1-Bromopropane is a new solvent intended
to replace solvents like trichloroethane and some Freons that damage the upper ozone
layer. HESIS is issuing this Hazard Alert because 1-bromopropane is being considered for
widespread use and is not regulated to protect workers, consumers, or the environment.
How 1-bromopropane
How to find out if H
H
enters your body
you are working with
1-bromopropane 1-Bromopropane enters your body when you breathe
its vapor or drops of spray in the air. Some can enter
1-Bromopropane is a solvent. It might be used your body through your skin.
wherever there is a need to dissolve fats, waxes,
Your risk of health effects depends on the amount of
or resins. So far, two of its main uses are in
1-bromopropane that enters your body. That depends
degreasing and in spray adhesives. It is being
mainly on the amount (the concentration) of 1-bro-
considered for use in drycleaning and for many
mopropane in the air, your skin contact, and how long
other uses as a replacement for other organic
you are exposed.
solvents that damage the upper ozone layer.
Your employer must tell you if you are working
How 1-bromopropane
H
with 1-bromopropane, and must train you to use
it safely (California Code of Regulations, Title 8,
Sections 3203 and 5194). If you think you may be
can affect your health
exposed to 1-bromopropane on the job, ask to see
the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for the
The toxic effects of 1-bromopropane in humans have
products you are using. The MSDS for a product
not yet been well studied. Because it is a recently
that contains 1-bromopropane must identify it
introduced chemical, most information comes from
in Section 2, by the CAS number 106-94-5.
animal testing, not from experience with human use.
1-Bromopropane is also called n-propyl bromide.
Some MSDSs do not fully describe the hazards of
In most of the animal tests, the animals breathed
the product.
1-bromopropane in the air. However, you can also
absorb 1-bromopropane through your skin.
HEALTH HAZARD
ALERT
HESIS
HAZARD EVALUATION SYSTEM & INFORMATION SERVICE
California Department of Health Services
Occupational Health Branch
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901, Oakland, CA 94612
510-622-4300 ?www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb
California Department of Health Services ?California Department of Industrial Relations
JULY 2003
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM LIVER
1-Bromopropane damages the reproductive systems in Very high exposures may harm the liver. We don't
both male and female animals. In males, it damages know whether there's any risk to the liver from
the sperm, testicles, prostate, epididymis, and seminal exposure levels likely to be found in the workplace.
vesicles, and reduces testosterone levels, causing
sterility. In females, it damages the ovaries and
CANCER
interferes with the estrous cycle, again causing sterility.
1-Bromopropane also caused delayed growth in the 1-Bromopropane will soon be tested to see whether it
offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy. Some can cause cancer. Many similar chemicals, such as
of these effects were seen at exposure levels as low as dibromochloropropane (DBCP), do cause cancer. In
200 parts per million (200 "ppm") in air, and possibly some tests, but not in others, 1-bromopropane has
even at 100 ppm. caused genetic mutations. Chemicals that cause
mutations often can cause cancer.
Reproductive toxicity of 1-bromopropane has not been
studied in humans, but the closely related chemical
2-bromopropane has been found to cause long-lasting
ovarian failure and absence of sperm in
workers.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
1-Bromopropane damages the nerves
in the arms, legs, and body. There is
evidence that 1-bromopropane may also
damage the brain itself. Animal tests
have found these effects with exposures
as low as 400 ppm. Case reports show
that similar effects can occur in humans.
EYES, NOSE, THROAT, AND
SKIN
1-Bromopropane is irritating to the
eyes, nose, and throat, at exposure levels
of perhaps 30 ppm. Like other organic
solvents, the liquid can dissolve the
natural protective oils on your skin and
cause dermatitis (dry, rough, red, cracked
skin). It can also be absorbed into your
body through the skin.
2
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE
E Other Engineering Controls. Vapor
ven though there is no Permissible Exposure
degreasing systems should include controlled
Limit (PEL) for 1-bromopropane (see page 4),
Cal/OSHA's Title 8, Section 5141 requires your hoists, effective cooling coils, and lids. Vapor
employer to protect you from being exposed to degreasing should be isolated from other work
chemicals at levels that harm your health. See areas. If parts are removed wet, the drying area
www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5141.html. should be vented to the outdoors.
Cal/OSHA and the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
Respiratory Protection. Respirators may
can help you and your employer ?see "Where to
be used only if ventilation and other control
Get Help" on the last page.
methods are not effective and feasible. A half-
face respirator with organic vapor cartridge can
Substitution. The best way to reduce expo-
reduce your exposure. In spraying operations,
sure is to switch to products that don't contain
this should be combined with a mist pre-filter
1-bromopropane. Avoid using products for which
cartridge. A "dust mask" will not protect you,
you do not have an MSDS.
and may even increase your exposure by giving
Switch to water-based adhesives, when possible, a false sense of confidence. Employers must
for flexible foam fabrication. Hot water-based comply with the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection
aqueous cleaning detergents often can be Standard (Title 8, Section 5144). See
substituted for 1-bromopropane products for www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5144.html.
vapor degreasing and cold cleaning operations.
Skin Protection. It may be hard to avoid
If you can't switch to 1-bromopropane-free prod-
getting 1-bromopropane on your hands if you
ucts, take other steps to limit your exposure.
use it for cleaning or gluing. If you must use
1-bromopropane products and it is likely that it
Using Less. If you must use 1-bromopropane
will get on your skin, wear protective gloves and
products, use as little as possible. Keep contain-
replace them often. Chemical protective clothing,
ers closed between uses. 1-Bromopropane can
such as aprons or sleeves, may also be needed if
evaporate from 1-bromopropane-soaked rags,
skin contact occurs at areas other than your
so make sure that used rags are kept in a well-
hands. California regulation (Title 8, Section
ventilated area or sealed in an airtight container.
3384) requires employers to supply gloves or any
Ventilation. Make sure that there is good other necessary protective equipment. Viton,
Silvershield, and 4H glove materials may resist
ventilation. "Local exhaust ventilation" is most
penetration by 1-bromopropane longer than most
effective; it captures contaminated air at the
other materials. 1-Bromopropane can penetrate
source, before 1-bromopropane can spread into
some common glove materials within 30 minutes
your breathing zone. In a study conducted by
to two hours.
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), for example, improving the local
exhaust ventilation reduced 1-bromopropane
levels by about 70% in a cushion manufacturing
plant. Next best is general ventilation, which
uses a fan-powered system to bring fresh air into
the work area. Open doors and windows usually
provide very little ventilation. An indoor fan that
just blows contaminated air around without
removing it from your work area is not effective.
3
Legal exposure limits Regulations that help to
R
L
protect workers
1-Bromopropane is a virtually unregulated chemical.
Cal/OSHA does not have a Permissible Exposure Limit
HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD.
(PEL) for workplace exposure. Neither the U.S.
Under this standard (Title 8, Section 5194), your
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) nor
employer must tell you if any hazardous substances are
Cal/EPA has set any limits on 1-bromopropane in the
environment. U.S. EPA is considering approving 1-bro- used in your work area, must train you to use them
mopropane for use as an alternative to chemicals that safely, and must make MSDSs available. See
damage the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5194.html.
INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION
Recommended exposure
R PROGRAM. Every employer must have an effective,
written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
limits that identifies a person with the authority and responsi-
bility to run the program (Title 8, Section 3203). The
HESIS recommends that workplace exposure be limited IIPP must include methods for identifying workplace
to about 1 ppm in order to protect against the repro- hazards, methods for correcting hazards quickly, health
ductive and nerve toxicity of 1-bromopropane. HESIS and safety training at specified times, a system for
also recommends a skin notation to require protection communicating clearly with all employees about health
against skin contact exposure. and safety matters (including safe ways for employees
to tell the employer about hazards), and record-keeping
Many manufacturers and distributors have made
to document the steps taken to comply with the IIPP
recommendations for occupational exposure limits.
Standard. See www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3203.html.
These proposals range from 5 ppm to 100 ppm.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND EXPOSURE
Measuring your exposure
M RECORDS. You have the right to see and copy
your own medical records, and any records of toxic
substance exposure monitoring (Title 8, Section 3204).
The amount of 1-bromopropane in the air in your These records are important in determining whether
workplace can and should be measured. However, until
your health has been affected by your work.
1-bromopropane is regulated by Cal/OSHA, there may
Employers who have such records must keep them and
not be any legal standard to compare the results to.
make them available to you for at least 30 years after
the end of your employment. See
www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3204.html.
Are there medical tests for
A
exposure and health effects?
1-Bromopropane levels in urine reflect recent exposure
fairly accurately, but the test is difficult and expensive.
Bromine levels in urine also reflect recent exposure,
but other exposures may influence the test. Standard
tests for reproductive function, nervous system damage,
and blood effects may be appropriate if you work with
1-bromopropane.
4
DO YOU USE ANY OF THESE PRODUCTS?
Abzol These are some products with MSDSs
showing that they contain 1-bromo-
Albatross VDS-3000
propane. However, products like these
Alpha Metals VaporEdge 1000
can change their ingredients quite often.
Amrep Misty Safety Solvent 2000
Be sure to check the current MSDS for
Ceramichrome Overglazes 6, 8, 9, or 18
whatever products you're using.
Ecolink Hypersolve
Ecolink Triagen
EnSolv; EnSolv-A; EnSolv-CW
Hypersolve NPB; Hypersolve ASC
K-Grip 501 Spray Adhesive
Leksol
LPS Instant Super Degreaser II
Micro Care PowrClean Solvent
NPB Heavy Duty Cleaner Degreaser
NPB Heavy Duty Contact Cleaner
NPB Heavy Duty Flux Remover
Nye Lubricants Fluorosolvent 507
Nye Lubricants Nyetact 502H-20
Pensolve PB2000
Petroferm Lenium
Petroferm nPB Stabilizer Booster
Rite-Off Generation 2000 Bromo-Clean
Solvon PB, PBA, AER, ACS, DR, or IP
Techtride DG
Tek-Rap Series 200-20D Low-VOC/HAPs
Liquid Adhesive Coating
United C174 Aerosol Contact Cleaner
Western Chemical
5
WHERE TO GET HELP
HESIS answers questions about 1-bromopropane Other resources for employees may
and other workplace hazards and has many free include your supervisor, your union, your
publications available. company health and safety officer, your doctor,
or your company doctor.
For information on workplace hazards:
(510) 622-4317. Please leave a message and
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service helps
your call will be returned.
employers who want free, non-enforcement help
to evaluate the workplace and improve the
For HESIS Publications: (510) 622-4138. Call, or
health and safety conditions. Employers can
visit our website www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb, or write to
call (800) 963-9424.
HESIS, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901, Oakland, CA
94612.
Occupational health services can be
?HESIS Guide to Solvent Safety. Discusses health found at:
and safety hazards and protective measures.
?UC San Francisco/SFGH Occupational
?Workplace Chemical Hazards to Reproductive and Environmental Medicine Clinic:
Health: A Resource for Worker Health and Safety (415) 885-7580.
Training and Patient Education. Explains how
chemicals can affect reproduction. ?UC Davis Occupational and Environmental
Medicine Clinic: (530) 754-7635.
?HESIS Publication List. Fact sheets, booklets,
and medical guidelines on workplace hazards ?UC Irvine Center for Occupational and
including chemicals, repetitive motion, and Environmental Health: (949) 824-8641.
infectious diseases. Visit our website, call, or
?UC San Diego Center for Occupational
write for the list.
and Environmental Medicine:
(619) 471-9210.
California Division of Occupational
Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) investigates
workers' complaints, makes enforcement inspections,
and answers questions about workplace health and
safety regulations. Complainants' identities are kept
confidential. Contact the Cal/OSHA Enforcement
District office nearest to your workplace. Offices are
listed in the blue government section near the front
of the phone book, under "State Government /
Industrial Relations / Occupational Safety and
Health / Enforcement," or visit their website at
www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/districtoffices.htm.
Gray Davis, Governor
State of California
Grantland Johnson, Secretary
Health and Human Services Agency
Diana M. Bont? R.N., Dr.P.H.
Director, Department of Health Services
Steve Smith, Acting Secretary
Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Chuck Cake, Acting Director
Department of Industrial Relations
JANE NORLING DESIGN OSP 03 79401
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