Risk Management for 1-Bromopropane (1-BP)
Below is information on EPA actions to manage the unreasonable risk from 1-bromopropane (1-BP) and protect public health. 1-BP is used as a solvent in commercial and industrial applications and as a reactant in the manufacturing of other chemical substances. Common uses of 1-BP include adhesives, degreasers, cleaners, and automobile care products.
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On other pages:
- Learn how EPA manages unreasonable risks from chemicals currently on the market.
- View a list of all chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, including docket numbers and agency points of contact.
Managing Risks from 1-BP
In July 2024, EPA announced a proposed rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to safeguard public health and protect consumers and workers, with this latest proposal focused on the solvent 1-bromopropane (1-BP). Exposure to this chemical can cause serious health effects such as skin, lung, and intestinal cancer; damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system; and effects on the reproductive systems that lead to reduced fertility. If finalized, the rule would prohibit all but one consumer use of 1-BP, as well as some workplace uses.
EPA is also proposing worker protections for most industrial and commercial uses that would not be banned under the rule. These protections would help keep both workers and consumers safe from the harmful effects of 1-BP exposure. This is the seventh existing chemical for which EPA has proposed a rule to address unreasonable risks under TSCA section 6(a) since Congress amended the law in 2016.
1-BP is a solvent that is widely used in cleaning and degreasing operations, spray adhesives, and dry cleaning. 1-BP is also used in insulation for building and construction materials and in the manufacture of other chemicals. Consumer uses of 1-BP include aerosol degreasers, spot cleaners, stain removers, and insulation.
EPA is proposing to protect the public from exposure to 1-BP by banning all consumer uses of this chemical except in insulation (because EPA determined that this use did not contribute to the unreasonable risk to people). The ban on consumer uses would begin to go into effect within 6 months after the final rule is published and would come fully into force within 15 months.
EPA is also proposing to ban some industrial and commercial uses of 1-BP for which EPA analysis identified safer alternatives. The ban on industrial and commercial uses would begin to go into effect 6 months after the final rule is published and would come fully into effect within 18 months. The industrial and commercial uses to be prohibited include:
- Dry cleaning, spot cleaning, and stain removers.
- Adhesives and sealants.
- Coin and scissor cleaners.
- Automotive care products used as engine degreasers, brake cleaners, and refrigerant flushes.
- Anti-adhesive agents used for mold cleaning and release products.
- Functional fluids used as refrigerants or cutting oils.
- Arts, crafts, and hobby materials.
The proposed rule would also require worker protections for several industrial and commercial uses of 1-BP that would continue but which EPA has determined contribute to the unreasonable risk to human health that must be addressed, including its use in vapor and aerosol degreasing, electronics, and electronic and metal products. To continue these uses, non-Federal workplaces would need to implement a Workplace Chemical Protection Program, including an exposure limit, within 12 months. EPA is also proposing to require the use of chemical-resistant gloves within 6 months for some uses for non-Federal workplaces, including manufacturing, processing (which includes recycling) and disposal, to protect workers from exposures to 1-BP through the skin. Federal agencies (and Federal contractors acting for or on behalf of the Federal Government) would be required to implement a Workplace Chemical Protection Program and use chemical-resistant gloves within 3 years.
Many workplaces already employ stringent controls to reduce exposures to 1-BP. For some workplaces, such as those using 1-BP in vapor degreasing, these existing controls may already sufficiently reduce exposure to meet the inhalation exposure concentration limit proposed in this rulemaking.
- Read the proposed rule. EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule until September 23, 2024.
The proposed risk management rule is based on EPA’s August 2020 TSCA section 6 risk evaluation, as amended by the December 2022 final revised risk determination for 1-BP.
In the final revised risk determination, EPA determined that 1-BP presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use. The unreasonable risk is based on serious health risks, including cancer, damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and reproductive and developmental toxicity.
Opportunities for Public and Stakeholder Engagement
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 1-BP for 45 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0471 at www.regulations.gov.
To submit a comment, first navigate to the docket in www.regulations.gov. Then click “Browse Documents” to view the proposed risk management rule. Click on the “Comment” button to submit your comment.
- View a list of all public and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to risk management.
- You can reach out to the EPA point of contact for this chemical, listed at the top, right of this page, for more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
- You can also stay informed by signing up for our email alerts or checking the public docket at EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0471 at www.regulations.gov.
Past Meetings, Webinars, and Other Engagement Opportunities
EPA held a webinar providing an overview of the proposed risk management rule on August 28, 2024. View materials from the webinar.
EPA held a federalism consultation from October 22, 2020, until January 23, 2021, as part of the rulemaking process and pursuant to Executive Order 13132. This included a background presentation on September 9, 2020, and a consultation meeting on October 22, 2020.
EPA consulted with Tribal officials and held two identical Tribal consultations on November 12 and 17, 2020.
EPA completed the 1-BP Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel for the 1-BP rulemaking on December 16, 2021. Learn more.
EPA held two identical consultation webinars, on November 16 and November 19, 2020, to consult with communities on risk management for methylene chloride and 1-BP. Materials can be found in the public docket.
On September 30, 2020, EPA held a webinar giving an overview of the TSCA risk management process and the findings in the final risk evaluation for 1-BP. View the materials for the webinar.