EPA Proposes Severe Restrictions on Use of 1-BP Chemical, Citing Cancer Risks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington on Jan. 4, 2024. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed implementing restrictions on the use of 1-Bromopropane (1-BP), warning that exposure to the chemical can result in cancers and damage internal organs.

1-BP is used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications, for example, in cleaning operations, as an insulation for building and construction materials, during the manufacture of several chemical compounds, and in spray adhesives.

Consumer uses include stain removers, spot cleaners, and insulation. The EPA is now seeking to control its use since exposure presents an “unreasonable risk of injury” to people’s health, according to an Aug. 8 proposed rule published in the Federal Register.

Such risks include “neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity from acute and chronic inhalation exposures and dermal exposures, and cancer from chronic inhalation exposures.”

People exposed to the chemical may end up with lung, skin, and intestinal cancers, along with damage to the liver, nervous system, and kidneys. Reproductive systems can be affected, leading to reduced fertility.

As such, the EPA has proposed a ban on all consumer use of 1-BP except in insulation. The exemption was made as the agency found the chemical did not pose an unreasonable risk to people when used for insulation purposes. The ban will fully come into effect within 15 months of the final rule being published.

For industrial and commercial sectors, the use of 1-BP has been restricted for purposes such as dry cleaning, stain removal, adhesives, arts and crafts, functional fluids used in refrigerants or cutting oils, and certain automotive care products. The ban for industrial and commercial sectors will fully come into effect within 18 months of the publication of the final rule.

The prohibitions are being imposed under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which requires the EPA to address any “unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment” identified for toxic substances.

“Today’s action is an important step to use the power of our nation’s chemical safety law to finally protect people from this dangerous chemical and prevent cancer-causing exposure,” said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention, according to an EPA press release.

“Our proposal would end all unsafe consumer exposures from this chemical and put strict protections in place for workers to ensure critical uses can continue safely.”

Certain industries will be allowed to continue using 1-BP, although the EPA identified that these activities posed risks to workers and such businesses would be required to implement protections like exposure limits and use of chemical-resistant gloves.

Cancer Risks

In its draft risk evaluation report for 1-BP published in August 2019, the EPA pointed to cases of “chronic cancer” among mice and rats exposed to the chemical.

For female rats and mice, there was “clear evidence” for cancer risk, it said. For male rats, “some evidence” was observed. For male mice, “no evidence” for cancer risk was seen.

Based on these and other results, the EPA concluded that 1-BP may pose a “carcinogenic hazard to humans.”

Responding to the draft report at the time, chemicals manufacturer Albemarle Corporation questioned the use of mice for assessing cancer risk in humans.

“As compared with rats and especially humans, mice are super metabolizers of many organic chemicals,” it said. The EPA’s lung cancer risk assessment for 1-BPA in humans is “not supported by a large body of evidence.”

The American Chemistry Council said in its comments that 1-BPA “can be used safely in commercial and industrial settings when appropriate engineering controls are implemented, and workers are equipped with PPE such as respirators, safety glasses or goggles, and gloves.”

“Products containing 1‐BP such as solvents for cleaning and degreasing, adhesives, and sealants can be used in such settings without posing an unreasonable risk if appropriate measures are taken to limit exposure,” it stated.

The latest EPA proposed rule published on Aug. 8 in the Federal Register is open to public comment for 45 days. The agency will host a public webinar giving an overview of the proposal on Aug. 28.

The Environmental Working Group welcomed the rule.

“The rule delivers on a promise to aggressively use our chemical safety laws to protect consumers and workers from some of the most dangerous chemicals on the market today, such as 1-bromopropane,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group.