Number

280-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

This document describes possible alternatives to n-propyl bromide in different types of aerosol cleaning, industrial precision cleaning and as an adhesive for polyurethane in furniture. The alternative includes both alternative cleaners, such as water based systems, and alternative adhesives including acetone and latex, as well as alternative cleaning technologies including laser, deionised water and carbon dioxide pellet blasting. The document focuses on function and cost aspects of the alternatives.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR
physical hazards
skin/respiratory sensitizing

Other type of alternative

Alternative cleaning processes suggested in this document include laser cleaning, carbon dioxide pellet blasting and deionised water.

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: 1-Bromopropane is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH authorisation list, according to Article 62 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substances: Many different alternatives are mentioned for the different uses. Not all are specified with respect to chemical content, such as the water based cleaning system. Acetone and latex are suggested as adhesives, and could be regarded as better substitutes than NBP, still they should be handled with care, since acetone is a highly flammable liquid and vapour, may cause drowsiness or dizziness and causes serious eye irritation and latex is allergenic. The alternative technologies for cleaning: laser, deionised water and carbon dioxide pellet blasting do not represent any chemical hazards.

Description of Substitution

1-Bromopropane or n-propyl bromide (NPB) is a reproductive, developmental and nerve toxin. NPB has been marketing as an alternative to ozone depleting and chlorinated solvents, especially for cleaning applications. This report investigates the availability of alternatives for industrial and precision cleaning, adhesives and aerosol cleaning. The report presents several case stories where companies have changed from a cleaning system based on NPB or halogenated solvents to different water based systems, including careful cost comparisons. The report investigates also alternatives to NPB as an adhesive for polyurethane foam used in furniture. The adhesive is needed to fix the foam onto other materials. Alternative methods include systems based on water, latex or acetone. These systems were found to function well, but required good ventilation systems, since acetone can be irritating and the water based products, when sprayed, could form aerosols. Also, latex could be allergenic. The report includes case stories with cost comparisons from companies trying these alternative systems. For aerosol cleaning alternative methods such as carbon dioxide pellet blasting, laser and high pressure deionised water were suggested as alternatives. This case story is from a large report from a project funded by US EPA and performed by The Department of health services hazard evaluation system and information service (HESIS) and the Institute for research and technical assistance (IRTA). The aim of the project was to study five emerging solvents, and to find safer alternatives to these in a number of applications per substance. Hazard properties, function and cost was investigated for a number of alternatives per application. For each chemical there are case stories in the report from companies evaluating the alternatives. Solvents are most often used in dispersive applications where exposure is likely to be high. The five selected solvents were Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, D5 Parachlorobenzotrifluoride, PCBTF n-propyl bromide NPB 1,2-trans-dichloroethylene, DCE N-methyl pyrrolidone, NMP For more details, concerning the other solvents, please have a look at the case stories 278, 279 and 281.

Case/substitution evaluation

This is a case story with a very practical approach to finding alternatives, including company interviews, cost evaluations and descriptions of the methods.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

2006 USA

Availability ofAlternative

On the market

Type of information supplier

Authority

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION OF ALTERNATIVES FOR FIVE EMERGING SOLVENTS Prepared for: Hazard Evaluation System & Information Service California Department of Health Services Under Agreement No. 04-36006 A01 and United States Environmental Protection Agency Pollution Prevention Grant NP-96912401-1 October 2006

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www.irta.us/reports/Five%20Emerging%20Chemicals.pdf

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021