Keywords
Citation
Bean, J. (2001), "Doubts over n-propyl bromide as a solvent", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 30 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2001.12930baa.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Doubts over n-propyl bromide as a solvent
Doubts over n-propyl bromide as a solvent
Keywords: Coatings, Solvents, Additives
In the quest to find new solvents to replace those that are either ozone depleting or carry toxicological risks, n-propyl bromide has been suggested over the past two years or so as a viable alternative (and was commented upon in this journal, Vol. 28 No. 5). Now it appears that not everybody is completely happy with this as a proposed alternative.
Following a blatant commercial plug for one type of solvent cleaner, another contributor to the UK journal, Product Finishing, suggested that there could be a future for n-propyl bromide (nPB), when full testing has been completed and toxicological concerns answered. This produced further correspondence in the journal. The outcome can be summarised as follows.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still carrying out tests on the safety of nPB, but this should be completed by June this year. Meanwhile doubts remain, according to published research, over the potential environmental and toxicological effects. The US EPA has confirmed that the ozone depletion potential of nPB is not particularly high – but does exist – and is believed to range from 0.019-0.71, depending on the latitude, based on the latest research by leading analyst Dr Wuebbles, among others.
On the issue of toxicity, the US EPA has submitted nPB to the US National Institute of Environmental Health Science's National Toxicology Programme for further assessment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends extensive tests that should take several years to complete. OSHA will then establish a mandatory exposure limit for nPB use in the workplace, which could be lower than the EPA's current recommendation of 5-100ppm.
The message then appears to be that whilst nPB is not ruled out of court as a viable solvent, for the immediate future it should be used with caution.
John Bean