1-Bromopropane (1-BP); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to address the unreasonable risk of injury to human health presented by 1-bromopropane (1-BP) (CASRN 106-94-5), also known as n- propyl bromide, under its conditions of use as documented in EPA's August 2020 Risk Evaluation for 1-BP and the December 2022 Revised Risk Determination for 1-BP prepared under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1-BP is a widely used solvent in a variety of occupational and consumer applications, including vapor degreasing, aerosol degreasing, adhesives and sealants, and in insulation. EPA determined that 1-BP presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health due to the significant adverse health effects associated with exposure to 1-BP, including neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity from acute and chronic inhalation exposures and dermal exposures, and cancer from chronic inhalation exposures. TSCA requires that EPA address by rule any unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment identified in a TSCA risk evaluation and apply requirements to the extent necessary so the chemical no longer presents unreasonable risk. To address the identified unreasonable risk, EPA is proposing requirements to, among other things, prevent consumer access to the chemical, restrict the industrial and commercial use of the chemical while also allowing for a reasonable transition period where an industrial and commercial use of the chemical is being prohibited, and protect workers from the unreasonable risk of 1-BP while on the job.