HSE published hazard assessment advice on solvent for degreasing metal in the engineering industry 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a Hazard Assessment Document for the solvent n-Propyl bromide. It is being marketed as a possible substitute for trichloroethylene in metal degreasing operations in the engineering industry. The document will help employers, suppliers and users to assess the risks to health or when considering a substitute. 

Peter Ridgway of HSE's industrial chemicals unit said: "The key health concerns identified for this substance are damage to the nervous system and adverse effects on fertility. It is also a skin irritant. This document highlights the uncertainties as to whether or not n-propyl bromide can cause cancer because this aspect has not been investigated. The conclusion is that, on the basis of the information currently available, it is not possible to specify a particular level of inhalation exposure to n-propyl bromide below which no adverse health effects would be predicted to occur." 

The document has been endorsed by the Health and Safety Commission's Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals (WATCH). 

Notes to editors 

1. The Hazard Assessment Document is the third in the EH75 series, entitled n-Propyl Bromide - EH75/3. This series is aimed at a technical audience, primarily at specialists in occupational health and hygiene. 

Copies of n-Propyl Bromide Hazard Assessment Document EH75/3, ISBN 0-7176-2350-5, price £7.50, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers. 

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: 

Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701-545500 

or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG. 

Lonsdale Health and Safety Consultants provide a cost effective range of services which include Risk Assessment, Health and Safety Policy , Manual Handling , Training, Fire Risk Assessments, Computer Health and Safety and Competent Person services to support your business in meeting current health and safety legislation.