HEALTH HAZARD ALERT
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
N.C. Department of Labor
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1101
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner
1-Bromopropane (n-Propyl Bromide)
1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is a new solvent that is effective in dissolving fats, waxes and resins. Two of its main
uses are in degreasing agents and in spray adhesives. 1-BP is being used in the furniture industry and as a solvent
for adhesives used in constructing foam cushions. The dry cleaning industry, among others, has considered using
1-BP as a replacement for other organic solvents that damage the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere.
The N.C. Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), is very concerned
about the health effects of 1-bromopropane. OSH is issuing this health hazard alert because 1-bromo-propane
is being considered for widespread use and is not regulated to protect workers, consumers or the
environment. North Carolina does not currently have a permissible exposure limit for 1-bromopropane. The
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recently published a recommended time-weighted
average threshold limit value of 10 parts per million, which is equivalent to 50 milligrams of
1-bromopropane (1-BP) per cubic meter of air.1
Hazards: 1-Bromopropane can harm both the nervous system and the reproductive system. It can damage
the nervous system by interfering with nerve conduction, resulting in limb weakness, pain, numbness, and
paralysis.2,3 It can cause reduced fertility and/or sterility in test animals, both male and female, and it can
harm the developing fetus in pregnant female test animals. It will soon be tested to find out if it can cause
cancer, as many similar chemicals do. Other harmful effects include irritation of the eyes and skin.4
Health Effects
1-Bromopropane enters your body when you breathe its vapor or drops of spray in the air. It can also enter
through your skin and cause significant problems, depending on the concentration of 1-BP in the air, your
skin contact and exposure time. The toxic effects of 1-bromopropane in humans have not yet been well stud-ied.
Because it is a recently introduced chemical, most information comes from animal testing and not from
experience with human use. In most of the animal tests, the animals were exposed to 1-bromopropane by
breathing it in the air. The following outlines health effects that have been studied.
Reproductive System
1-Bromopropane damages the reproductive systems in both male and female animals. In males, it damages
the sperm, testicles, prostate, epididymis and seminal vesicles and reduces testosterone levels, causing
sterility. In females, it damages the ovaries and interferes with the estrous cycle, again causing sterility.
1-Bromopropane also caused delayed growth in the offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy. Some
of these effects were seen at exposure levels as low as 200 ppm in the air, and possibly even at 100 ppm.
The reproductive toxicity of 1-bromopropane has not been studied in humans, but 2-bromopropane, a close-ly
related chemical, 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. 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 skin and cause dermatitis (dry, rough,
red, cracked skin).
Liver
Very high exposures may harm the liver. It is not known whether exposure levels likely to be found in the
workplace present any risks to the liver.
Cancer
1-Bromopropane will soon be tested to see whether it can cause cancer. Many similar chemicals, such as
dibromochloropropane, do cause cancer. In some tests, but not in others, 1-bromopropane has caused genet-ic
mutations. Chemicals that cause mutations can often cause cancer as well.
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