Stephanie Chalupka (Nursing) is the author of “Reducing Workplace Exposure to 1-Bromopropane,” which was published recently in Workplace Health & Safety: The Journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nursing.
1-Bromopropane, also known as n-propyl bromide (nPB), is a solvent with several commercial applications. Use of 1-BP has increased in workplaces over the past 20 years.
1-BP is often found in products used in vapor and immersion de-greasing operations for cleaning metals, plastics and electronic and optical components; adhesive spray applications; dry cleaning; and solvent sprays used in operations like asphalt production, aircraft maintenance, and synthetic fiber manufacturing.
Occupational exposure to 1-BP has been linked to neurological illnesses. Animal studies show that 1-BP may also cause cancer and reproductive disorders.
Chalupka examines examines the use of administrative and engineering controls to protect workers from 1-BP exposure.