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US agency discharges six draft toxicological profiles
The US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has released draft toxicological and adverse health profiles for six biocidal substances.
They are:
- 1-bromopropane (1-BP);
- DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide);
- glutaraldehyde;
- nitrate and nitrite; and
- toluene.
The peer-reviewed profiles include public health statements on the chemicals, as well as health and toxicologic information on their potential for human exposure, and relevant analytical methods, regulations, advisories and guidelines.
The ATSDR is congressionally mandated to develop toxicology profiles, for substances found at National Priorities List (NPL) sites. A full list of toxic substances with published profiles is available on the agency’s website.
Uses
1-Bromopropane has been used in the production of pesticides, flavours and fragrances and pharmaceuticals. Currently, it is more likely to be used as a solvent in the adhesives, dry cleaning, vapour degreasing and electronic and metal cleaning industries. The chemical's production has increased over the last ten years due to its use as a substitute for more harmful substances, according to the ATSDR. The European Commission added 1-bromopropane to REACH Annex XIV – the authorization list - in June.
DEET is the active ingredient in some common repellents used against mosquitos and ticks.
The formulations are typically used as sprays or mists, lotions and wipes. It has been used in sunscreen lotions for direct application to the skin.
Glutaraldehyde is used for industrial, laboratory, agricultural and medical purposes, primarily to disinfect surfaces and equipment. In industry, it is used in oil and gas recovery, wastewater treatment, as a pesticide and in fogging and cleaning of poultry houses, as a chemical intermediate in the production of various materials, in the paper industry, in x-ray processing, in embalming fluid and for leather tanning.
Nitrate and nitrite are used to preserve food and in the production of munitions and explosives. Sodium nitrite is also being used in medicines and therapeutics; for example, as an antidote for cyanide poisoning and as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Toluene is used in making paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives and rubber, and in some printing and leather tanning processes. It is used in the production of benzene, nylon, plastics and polyurethane and the synthesis of trinitrotoluene (TNT), benzoic acid, benzoyl chloride and toluene diisocyanate. It is also added to gasoline, along with benzene and xylene, to improve octane ratings.
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