Overview

For the first time ever, the EPA will be adding a compound to the Hazardous Air Pollution (HAP) list. Earlier this summer, the EPA announced its intentions to add 1-Bromopropane and issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. For any facilities that emit 1-Bromopropane, this addition could have immediate regulatory impacts.  1-PB, also known as n-propyl bromide (nPB) is commonly found in cleaning solvents for electronics and metals, dry cleaning, and adhesives. It is also used as an intermediate for various manufacturing processes including pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.

Regulatory Impacts

Sources emitting 1-BP will need to stay informed of any regulatory compliance requirements that could come from this addition. The EPA estimates that 140 facilities, previously required to report 1-BP under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program, may need to reevaluate or apply for a permit to ensure compliance with any new regulations. Those likely to be affected are halogenated solvent cleaning sources and dry-cleaning facilities. There is also the risk of exposure through inhalation and industrial hygiene monitoring will certainly get some attention as potential exposure limits are explored.

Next Steps

There are still many unknows and moving parts with the regulation of this new air toxic. If you or a client of yours could be affected by this new rule, proactive evaluation is key to understanding the source characteristics, and what needs to be done to avoiding any compliance issues. With over 30 years of source evaluation experience and test design, Enthalpy Analytical is a great resource for the analytical support for any emissions inventory assessment. To start a conversation about HAPs testing, analytical techniques, and how Enthalpy can assist with your analytical needs, click here.