Bromopropane Replacements: Switch to FluoSolv®

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Two years ago, the National Toxicology Program (NTC) and a panel of scientific experts voted unanimously to categorize 1-bromopropane (a.k.a n-propyl bromide) as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” No studies have measured the carcinogenic effects of it on humans, but the solution has been observed to produce negative neurological effects in people, such as headaches, profound dizziness, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, and difficulty walking.

To make matters worse, these conditions may not cease when exposure to 1-bromopropane is discontinued. Because chronic exposure the solution can cause permanent neurological damage, those who are chronically exposed to, and suffer permanent disability as a result, often file liability lawsuits against their employers, particularly because the damage has permanently reduced their earning capacity and exposed them to a high level of pain and suffering.

Bromopropane Replacements
The negative neurological effects that 1-Bromopropane produces in humans, as well as its toxic effect on the environment, should make companies that frequently use the solution look for bromopropane replacements. Several products are marketed as bromopropane replacements, but not all of them have an excellent safety profile. FluoSolv® — a line of proprietary solutions from EcoLink — is an example of a Bromopropane replacement that has a great safety profile.

For most large-scale users of 1-bromopropane, the primary goal of finding a replacement is to select one that performs with the same power as 1-bromopropane but is formulated to be safer for humans and the environment. If your company frequently uses 1-bromopropane for any of the following applications, replacing the solution with FluoSolv® is an efficient way to transition a toxic work environment into one that poses fewer health risks and is better for the environment.

  • Vapor immersion operations
  • Degreasing operations
  • Adhesive spray applications
  • Dry cleaning
  • Aircraft maintenance
  • Asphalt production
  • Synthetic fiber manufacturing

FluoSolv® products are formulated to be drop-in solutions for the replacement of brominated solvents, as well as chlorinated solvents, chlorofluorocarbon solvents, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvents. Unlike products that contain these ingredients, FluoSolv® solutions are formulated with azeotropic fluorinated fluids and trans-dichloroethylene (t-DCE) that are non-flammable, non-hazardous, non-ozone depleting, and protect workers from the neurotoxic effects that result from incidental or chronic contact with 1-bromopropane.

FluoSolv® products are used in a variety of industries by companies that need bromopropane replacements, including: aerospace and military, metal finishing, electronics manufacturing and maintenance, oil and gas, optics and fiber optics maintenance, semiconductor/SMT/wave maintenance, transportation and transit maintenance, medical tool cleaning, and general industrial cleaning. We will help you choose the right FluoSolv® products for your needs.

Place Your Order Today
If your company needs a drop-in solution for replacing 1-bromopropane products, our line of FluoSolv® solutions make excellent bromopropane replacements. If you need assistance choosing a FluoSolv® product that meets the requirements of 1-bromopropane in the capacity that you use it, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to providing you with a solution that is safe for your workers and the environment.

n Propyl Bromide Solvent Information

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How to Reduce Exposure to CAS 106-94-5 n-PB, 1-Bromopropane

Solvent Substitution – Using Safer Alternatives

Lenium ESThe best way to reduce exposure is to switch to products that do not contain n-Propyl Bromide, nPB. There are lots of nonflammable solvents with high Kb values that do not require stabilizers, alkalinity testing and frequent, expensive disposal costs. Whether bulk or aerosol, Ecolink will cuContec SAT Wipesstom fit your degreasing solvent to meet budget, safety profile and regulatory compliance (EPA, OSHA) Call 888-996-8436 ext 125 or email.

Using Less n-Propyl Bromide

Whether solvent or aqueous cleaning, using less is smart business and keeps your workers oensolvut of harms way. Keeping containers and equipment (lid on vapor degreasing unit) closed between uses and converting to pre-saturated wipes from nPB solvent soaked rags and keeping rags or pre-sat wipes sealed in an airtightcontainer. For aerosol applications, you may encounter CRC® or LPS®. We offer lots of custom options including bigger can size, more useable content (less propellant) blends. You can even name the product if you’d like!

 

Personal Protection – Ventilation, Respiratory and Skin Protection

Local exhaust ventilation is most effective to capture contaminated air at the source before nPBelectric solvent can spread into your breathing zone. Next best is general ventilation or a superdegreaserfan-powered system to bring fresh air into work area as open doors and windows provide very little ventilation. Anoflash half face respirator with organic vapor cartridge and/or mist pre-filter cartridges are recommended, NOT dust nosolvemasks. Wear chemical protective clothing  such as gloves, aprons and protective gloves for skin protection.

NPB Solvent Hazard Information

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n-Propyl Bromide (nPB) also known as 1-Bromopropane or (1-BP), CAS # 106-94-5 is a brominated hydrocarbon solvent used in a variety of industrial applications, e.g. hand wipe, vapor degreasing, Ultrasonic cleaning, non-destructive inspection and aerosol dispensers commonly consumed for cleaning and degreasing among Aerospace, Electronics, Metal Working, Precision Optics, Asphalt Extraction (Bituminous Asphalt) and to clean and remove microbial contaminants from medical devices and instruments, orthopedic implants, treatment of needles and canola lubricant carrier fluid as well as critical cleaning of oxygen and gas lines.

The use of nPB solvent significantly increased when halogenated solvents such as 1,1,1 Trichloroethane (TCA) ad Tetrachloroethene (PCE) were banned in the early 1990s. Fast forward, 20 + years later, and nPB solvent has undergone considerable health and safety analysis on the potential harm to the reproductive and nervous systems. It can enter your body when you breathe its vapors or drops of spray in the air or can enter your body through your skin.

Further studies by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have explored damage to the liver and potential carcinogenicity or cancer. in early 2012, the American Conference on Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) released a notice of intended Change to reclassify 1-BP or nPB as a “Confirmed Animal Carcinogen With Unknown Relevance to Humans” and to lower the threshold limit value time-weighted-average (TLV-TWA) from 10 PPM to 0.1 PPM.

More recently during March 21-22, 2013, NTP health scientist Diane Spencer walked the panel through the science of 1-bromopropane, which is a solvent used as a cleaner to degrease electronics and metals,. The panel agreed that the chemical is significant to public health.

Because there were no human studies to consider, Spencer presented the animal data showing the substance caused skin tumors in male rats, large intestine tumors in male and female rats, and lung tumors in female mice. Reviewer Terry Gordon, Ph.D., of the New York University Langone Medical Center, agreed with the data presented, saying he felt the rodent data were biologically relevant to humans, but remained puzzled by the different gender effects.

Although there was little mechanistic data available, the panel generally agreed with NTP conclusions on the genotoxicity data. They felt the overall evaluation was an effective synthesis of integrating the metabolic, genotoxic, and mechanistic data with the carcinogenicity results. The panel also discussed the role that immunosuppression may play in tumor development in animals. “Immunosuppression needs to be mentioned and emphasized more in the document,” said Paul White, Ph.D., of Health Canada, with concurrence from MaryJane Selgrade, Ph.D., of ICF International.

The panel unanimously voted to list 1-bromopropane as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on the animal studies presented by NTP.

Numerous nPB suppliers “still” promote nPB as an ideal drop-in replacement for chlorinated solvents: Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (PERC) which is the equivalent of comparing music cassettes as a drop-in replacement to 8-Tracks and Vinyl Record.

Do you need to upgrade to CD or MP3?

Call the Ecolink team at 800-563-1305  or email to explore safer alternatives for removing nPB solvent hazards from your work environment before its too late. Current exposure limits are 10 PPM (parts per million) with 0.1 PPM proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

While many of the replacement technologies cost more per gallon or pound, the lifecycle cost is significantly less expensive and MUCH safer [chemical cost + performance + energy + regulations + regulations & exposure limits + toxicity + environmental impact + disposal costs + impact on property and casualty insurance + process time].

Who can put a price tag on workers’ health and safety?

n-Propyl Bromide Replacement

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n-Propyl Bromide Exposure Risks

In March 2013, National Toxicology Program (NTP) and a panel of experts unanimously voted to list 1-bromopropane, also known hazardous chemicalsas nPB, CAS # 106-94-5, as a “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” based on the animal studies presented by NTP to include as part of their 13th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). This coincides with a study by US Department of Defense to lower TLV-TWA to 0.1 PPM.

Vapor Degreasing

For almost 20 years, nPB served as a drop-in replacement for chlorinated solvents such as TCE and PERC to remove adhesives, greases, hydraulic fluids, metalworking fluids, oils, sealants and waxes in vapor degreasing operations.  Enviro Tech, Petroferm and Solvon are primary suppliers for bulk cleaning.

Currently, fluorinated blends (HFC, HFE and HFPO) offer much higher & safer work exposure limits (200 PPM versus 0.1 PPM) and added benefits of reduced material handling (i.e. stabilizing, acid acceptance testing and dumping/recharging solvent), energy reduction (almost 40%, 43C vs 71C), superior cleaning performance at a lower lifecycle cost of ownership.

Email or call 888-996-8436 ext 125.

Aerosol Applications

nPB is readily used and packaged in aerosol cans for the effective removal of grease, oil, corrosion and sludge from gears, bearings, motors and contact cleaning where sensitive plastics are not involved. CRC® and LPS® are two primary aerosol providers of various blends with nPB. If you are using No Flash, Electra X or Electronic Degreaser, Super Degreaser it is time to switch and reduce your worker’s exposure to nPB.

Ecolink offers multiple custom blends that are safer, cost-effective and perform. Email or call 888-996-8436 ext 125.

Replacement by the Numberschalkboard

For vapor degreasing applications, the acquisition cost of nPB at $4-6/lb. compared to fluorinated options at $9-12/lb. is not the way to calculate replacement costs. Solvent bath life and process time (up time) will more than offset acquisition cost variance with most conversions generating positive ROI and cash flow in less than 12 months. For aerosol applications, cost $/can is flat. Fair market value:

Degreasing    = $12-22/can

Defluxing    = $9-18/can

Contact cleaning    = $15-25/can

Eco Friendly Options to Replace NPB Bromide

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An abundant source of information has recently come out about the negative and serious side effects of using n-Propyl Bromide, or n-PB. Recently, The New York Times published an eye-opening piece describing how hazardous the NPB Bromide chemical agent is to the environment and to people exposed to, and coming into contact with, the chemical compound – which can lead to fatality. The publication also took umbrage with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Organization), which is a federal regulatory agency that is usually known for its strict guidelines and serious penalties for businesses that negligently place their workers in harms way. According to the article, OSHA has been perplexingly ineffective and irresolute in eliminating, even reducing the use of NPB Bromide, especially when the word is out about the dire effects of long term exposure to the chemical compound.

Whatever the reason for the inability of OSHA to prevent, or even significantly reduce the use of NPB Bromide, the fact remains that the word is out, and industrial organizations that claim ignorance to understanding the negative effects of this chemical agent is no longer an excuse. Fortunately, eco friendly options to NPB Bromide exist, and these eco friendly options are industrial strength, and have proven to be as reliable, if not more reliable, than n-Propyl Bromide. Any industrial business can make the change to a green alternative parts cleaning solvent, and still receive the same, likely better outcome cleaned and degreased finished product. The following statement is fact: There are eco friendly options to NPB Bromide that clean and degrease parts, metals, and materials better than the former cleaning agent could ever hope to.

An excellent source of information for transitioning to a better and more eco friendly part cleaning solution is Ecolink. Ecolink knows that the use of NPB Bromide must be stopped, and their professionals can help you discover eco friendly options to NPB Bromide that will clean and degrease any part, metal or material you have.