Abstract
1-Bromopropane (1-BP) has been marketed as an alternative for ozone depleting solvents and suspect carcinogens and is in aerosol products, adhesives and solvents used for metal, precision and electronics cleaning. Toxicity of 1-BP is poorly understood, but it may be a neurologic, reproductive and hematologic toxin. Sparse exposure information prompted this exposure assessment study using air sampling, and measurement of urinary metabolites. Mercapturic acid conjugates are excreted in urine from 1-BP metabolism involving removal of bromide (Br) from the propyl group. One research objective was to evaluate the utility of urinary Br analysis for assessing 1-BP exposure using a relatively inexpensive, commercially available method. Complete 48 h urine specimens were obtained from 30 workers on two consecutive days at two facilities using 1-BP adhesives to construct polyurethane foam seat cushions and from seven unexposed control subjects. All of the workers' urine was collected into composite samples representing three daily time intervals (at work; after work but before bedtime; and upon wake-up) and analyzed for Br ion by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Full-shift breathing zone samples were collected for 1-BP on Anasorb carbon molecular sieve sorbent tubes and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection via NIOSH method 1025. Geometric mean (GM) breathing zone concentrations of 1-BP were 92 parts per million (p.p.m.) for adhesive sprayers and 11 p.p.m. for other jobs. For sprayers, urinary Br concentrations ranged from 77 to 542 milligrams per gram of creatinine [mg (g-cr)-1] at work; from 58 to 308 mg (g-cr)-1 after work; and from 46 to 672 mg (g-cr)-1 in wake-up samples. Pre-week urinary Br concentrations for sprayers were substantially higher than for the non-sprayers and controls, with GMs of 102, 31 and 3.8 mg (g-cr)-1, respectively. An association of 48 h urinary Br concentration with 1-BP exposure was statistically significant (r2 = 0.89) for all jobs combined. This study demonstrates that urinary elimination is an important excretion pathway for 1-BP metabolism, and Br may be a useful biomarker of exposure.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 599-607 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Annals of Occupational Hygiene |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2006 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Acknowledgements—This study was funded by an interagency agreement between the National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The authors would like to acknowledge Belinda Johnson (NIOSH), Jason Potter and Jason Forbes (IHI Environmental, Inc.) for field assistance; DataChem Laboratories for analytical services; and Michael Ottlinger, PhD, DABT, Jeffrey Nemhauser, MD, TJ Lentz, PhD, Elizabeth Whelan, PhD, Cheryl Estill, MS, PE, for manuscript review prior to submission to the journal. Disclaimer—The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It has not been formally disseminated by NIOSH, and it does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Mention of any company name or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.
Funding
Acknowledgements—This study was funded by an interagency agreement between the National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The authors would like to acknowledge Belinda Johnson (NIOSH), Jason Potter and Jason Forbes (IHI Environmental, Inc.) for field assistance; DataChem Laboratories for analytical services; and Michael Ottlinger, PhD, DABT, Jeffrey Nemhauser, MD, TJ Lentz, PhD, Elizabeth Whelan, PhD, Cheryl Estill, MS, PE, for manuscript review prior to submission to the journal. Disclaimer—The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It has not been formally disseminated by NIOSH, and it does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Mention of any company name or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.
Funders | Funder number |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | |
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) | |
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |
Keywords
- 1-bromopropane
- Bromine
- CAS No. 106-94-5
- Furniture cushions
- Polyurethane foam adhesive
- Urine
- n-propyl bromide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health