EPA Releases Final Chemical Risk Evaluation for 1-BP

For Release: August 11, 2020

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final risk evaluation for 1-bromopropane (1-BP). Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science before taking action to address any unreasonable risks. Today’s final risk findings complete the risk evaluation process required by TSCA for 1-BP.

EPA used feedback received from the public and the scientific peer review process carried out by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals to inform the final risk evaluation. The final risk evaluation for 1-BP shows that there are unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders for 16 out of 25 conditions of use. EPA did not find unreasonable risks to the environment or to the general population for all conditions of use.

The next step in the process required by TSCA is developing a plan to reduce or eliminate the unreasonable risks found in the final risk evaluation. EPA is moving immediately to risk management for this chemical and will work as quickly as possible to propose and finalize actions to protect workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders.

There are several actions EPA could take to address these risks, including regulations on how the chemical is used, or limiting or prohibiting the manufacture, processing, distribution in the marketplace, use, or disposal of this chemical, as applicable. As with any chemical product, EPA strongly recommends that users of products containing 1-BP continue to carefully follow all instructions on the product’s label and safety data sheet.

View the 1-BP final risk evaluation and supporting documents.

Background

1-BP is used as a solvent in commercial and industrial applications and as a reactant in the manufacturing of other chemical substances. Common commercial uses of 1-BP are as a solvent in vapor degreasing, dry cleaning, spot cleaners, stain removers, adhesives, sealants, and automobile care products. Consumer uses include adhesives, degreasers, cleaners, and automobile care products.

In June 2020, EPA granted two petitions to add 1-BP to the Clean Air Act list of air toxics. Exposure to the general population from ambient air is not part of this risk evaluation. The agency will take a separate regulatory action to add 1-BP to the Clean Air Act list of Hazardous Air Pollutants. After 1-BP is added to the list, EPA may revise air toxic standards for source categories that emit 1-BP or add new source categories for sources of 1-BP emissions.

EPA plans to issue final risk evaluations for the remaining eight of the first 10 chemicals by the end of 2020. Learn more about the risk evaluation process required by TSCA: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/how-epa-evaluates-safety-existing-chemicals.