Preliminary Report on the Neurotoxicity of 1-Bromopropane, an Alternative Solvent for Chlorofluorocarbons

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health 1998-07, Vol.40 (3), p.234-235
• Main Authors: Yu, Xiaozhong, Ichihara, Gaku, Kitoh, Junzoh, Xie, Zhenlin, Shibata, Eiji, Kamijima, Michihiro, Asaeda, Nobuyuki, Takeuchi, Yasuhiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1‐Bromopropane; Distal latency; Inhalation exposure; Motor nerve conduction velocity; Neurotoxicity
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.40.234

Under the international agreements for the protection of the ozone layer, the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane has been prohibited in developed countries since January 1, 1996. 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) and 2-bromopropane (2-BP) have come to be used as alternative solvents since they are volatile, nonflammable and less destructive to the ozone layer. Epidemiological studies and animal experiments revealed that 2-BP has severe toxic effects on the male and female reproductive and hematopoietic organs at 300 ppm or above 1-4). Besides the reproductive and hematopoietic toxicity of 2-BP, we also became aware of reported symptoms such as hand numbness in Korean workers, which suggested that they also suffered from polyneuropathy 5). 1-BP the isomer of 2-BP was chosen for comparison because 1-BP appeared on the market in spite of poor information on its toxicity. In this paper, we preliminarily describe an unexpected observation of the neurotoxicity of 1-BP. Materials and Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were obtained from Shizuoka Laboratory Animal Center, Japan (SLC). The rats were housed in stainless steel cages, and provided food and water ad libitum. The environment was kept on a 12 hr light-dark cycle and the temperature and relative humidity were maintained at 23.9-25.3 ℃ and 57-60%, respectively. Japanese law concerning the protection and control of animals, the standard relating to the care and management of experimental animals, and the Animal Experimental Guide of Nagoya University School of Medicine, were followed throughout this experiment. After a 2-week accommodation, the rats were divided into four groups of nine.