Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, February 20, 2023 

In December, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced it was adopting new cancer inhalation unit risk (IUR) and slope factors for 1-bromopropane (1-BP) for use in the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program. IURs are used to estimate lifetime cancer risks associated with inhalation exposure to a carcinogen. 

The values for 1-BP are now:

• Inhalation Unit Risk Factor             3.7 × 10^-6(µg/m³)^-1
• Inhalation Slope Factor                   1.3 × 10^-2(mg/kg-day)^-1

 Back in 2016, OEHHA added 1-BP to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65. The listing was based on formal identification by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) that the solvent causes cancer. That same year, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment and peer review a draft risk assessment of 1-bromopropane. In it, the agency estimated that there could be over 48,000 workers and occupational non-users across the country at possible risk of 1-BP exposures due to aerosol and vapor degreasing, dry cleaning and/or spot cleaning, and from spray adhesives. 

In 2020, EPA published its Final Risk Evaluation for 1-Bromopropane. The agency found unreasonable risks to consumers and bystanders from all consumer uses of 1-BP evaluated, except for insulation off-gassing. EPA also found unreasonable risks to workers from most commercial uses of 1-BP and even found unreasonable risks from most commercial uses of this chemical to workers nearby, but not in direct contact with 1-BP. 

“Monitoring for 1-BP to protect workers and the public from possible health risks due to exposure to this solvent is important,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we offer industrial hygiene and environmental testing for 1-BP to support health and safety programs and to help companies with regulatory compliance. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies and carries a full line of respirators and other personal protective equipment.” 

Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about 1-bromopropane and occupational exposure concerns that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/Ocm-1IYZus8 

To learn more about 1-BP or other environmental and industrial hygiene testing services and resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for industrial hygiene and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.