[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47593-47594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22297]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number NIOSH-057]


Request for Information on 1-Bromopropane

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends 
to evaluate the scientific data on the brominated organic solvent, 1-
Bromopropane (1-BP, CAS  106-94-5, also known as n-propyl 
bromide), and develop appropriate communication documents, such as a 
Current Intelligence Bulletin, Criteria Document and/or other 
informational products, and establish a Recommended Exposure Limit 
(REL) for 1-BP. NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) 
published and unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in 
vivo toxicity studies with 1-BP, (2) information on possible health 
effects observed in workers exposed to 1-BP, (3) information on 
workplaces and products in which 1-BP can be found, (4) description of 
work tasks and scenarios with a potential for exposure to 1-BP, (5) 
workplace exposure data, and (6) information on control measures (e.g., 
engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment) 
that are being used in workplaces where potential exposures to 1-BP 
occur.
    Public Comment Period: Comments must be received by December 14, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number NIOSH-
057, by any of the following methods:
     Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 
MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
     Facsimile: (513) 533-8285.
     E-mail: [email protected].
    All information received in response to this notice will be 
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket 
Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. A complete 
electronic docket containing all comments submitted will be available 
on the NIOSH Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and comments 
will be available in writing by request. NIOSH includes all comments 
received without change in the docket, including any personal 
information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: G. Scott Dotson, PhD, NIOSH, Robert A 
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 
telephone (513) 533-8540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1-BP is a brominated organic solvent that 
has received increased global attention in recent years as a potential 
alternative for ozone depleting substances and other compounds with 
known adverse health effects, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), 
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), and methylene chloroform. 1-BP is used 
in multiple industrial processes including vapor and immersion 
degreasing operations, and as a solvent in industries using aerosol-
applied adhesives; 1-BP is also proposed as a replacement solvent for 
perchloroethylene in the dry-cleaning sector. The National Toxicology 
Program (NTP) estimated that approximately 8.2 million pounds (lbs) of 
1-BP were used in the United States (U.S.) in 2002. Estimates of the 
number of workers exposed to 1-BP are unavailable due to limited 
exposure data and its relatively recent introduction into domestic 
commerce.
    The toxic nature of 1-BP is not fully understood. Recently 
published case reports describe possible adverse health effects, 
including neurotoxicity, following occupational exposures to 1-BP. The 
findings of animal toxicity studies in rats and mice indicate that 1-BP 
may be a reproductive and developmental toxicant, in addition a 
neurotoxicant. No occupational exposure limits for 1-BP have been 
established by NIOSH or the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA).
    NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and 
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible 
health risks of occupational exposure to 1-BP. Examples of requested 
information include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures 
to 1-BP may occur.
    (2) Trends in the production and use of 1-BP and 1-BP containing 
compounds.
    (3) Description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for 
exposure to 1-BP.

[[Page 47594]]

    (4) Workplace exposure measurement data in various types of 
industries and jobs.
    (5) Case reports or other health information demonstrating 
potential health effects in workers exposed to 1-BP.
    (6) Research findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies.
    (7) Information on controls (e.g., engineering controls, work 
practices, PPE) including costs and effectiveness of control measures 
being taken to minimize worker exposure to 1-BP.
    (8) Educational materials for worker safety and training on the 
safe handling of 1-BP.
    (9) Data pertaining to the feasibility of establishing a more 
protective REL for 1-BP including projected costs of control strategies 
considered.
    (10) Names of substitute chemicals or processes being used in place 
of 1-BP and type of work tasks.

    Dated: September 9, 2009.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-22297 Filed 9-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P