California Workers Learn of Occupational Exposure Concerns due to 1-Bromopropane

1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is a solvent that has been increasingly used in the workplace over the past 20 years according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Two years ago, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added 1-bromopropane to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65. The listing was based on formal identification by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) that the solvent causes cancer. 

The same year the OEHHA added 1-BP to the Prop 65 list, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment and peer review a draft risk assessment of 1-bromopropane, also known as n-propyl bromide. In it, the agency estimated that there could be over 48,000 workers and occupational non-users across the country at possible risk of 1-BP exposures due to aerosol and vapors degreasing, dry cleaning and/or spot cleaning, and from spray adhesives.

Workers in industries that utilize 1-BP could be exposed to the solvent by breathing vapors or mists that contain the chemical, as well as through skin contact. According to the EPA’s draft risk assessment, 1-BP showed acute risks to women of childbearing age from adverse developmental effects. Other non-cancer and cancer health risks were identified for workers with repeated and chronic exposures, including neurotoxicity; kidney, liver and reproductive toxicity; and lung cancer.

“In order to protect people from possible occupational contact with 1-BP or other solvents, an exposure risk assessment of the workplace will often take place,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “LA Testing can be instrumental in these endeavors with industrial hygiene and environmental testing services, sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment (PPE).”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about 1-bromopropane and occupational exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/3k6SqBj3m9g.  

To learn more about 1-bromopropane and other environmental and industrial hygiene testing services or for access to a wide range of PPE and air monitoring equipment, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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