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What's NEXT? - Exploring Alternatives to n-Propyl Bromide

Since April 2022, the US EPA has included n-propyl bromide (1-bromopropane or nPB) on the list of hazardous substances under CERCLA/Superfund.

View the complete rule here – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/08/2022-07541/addition-of-1-bromopropane-to-the-list-of-cercla-hazardous-substances-list-of-hazardous-substances

The past couple of years has not been kind to the public perception of n-propyl bromide. The ACGIH published its 0.1ppm TLV opinion paper, which, right or wrong, is considered by many professionals to be a reliable indicator of the safety of chemical compounds.

Later in 2014, the NTP listed nPB on its 13th Annual Report on Carcinogens as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” While there are major questions surrounding this assessment, given the fact that the NTP 2-year cancer study has not been fully explored to determine how tumors occurred, and given that the tumors were not consistent across different sexes of rats or mice, the fact is that some tumors did appear in the study.

Early in 2015, the US EPA opened a public comment period on its website for a petition to have nPB listed as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP). In this ever-changing regulatory environment, it is natural to be very concerned about the future of n-propyl bromide with regard to regulations, health, safety and more.

How do we react to these developments and what options do we have for precision cleaning? What are the nPB replacement options?

Well, the good news is that there are many nPB alternatives available.  Almost all nPB alternatives are comparable at vapor degreasing to n-propyl bromide solvents, are blends of 1,2-trans-dichloroethylene (trans) and non flammable fluorinated solvent compounds. Still, KB value is often the most important indicator of how well a solvent will clean soils. The ideal is to have a solvent with a KB value of 90 or greater in order to approach the cleaning power of traditional solvents like perchloroethylene (KB 90), trichloroethylene (KB 130) and n-propyl bromide (KB 129).

For a free quote, sample or to discuss your options for replacing nPB, please contact Enviro Tech International today at 708-343-6641 or by email at sales@envirotechint.com.

 
 

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