An Outbreak of Hematopoietic and Reproductive Disorders Due to Solvents Containing 2‐Bromopropane in an Electronic Factory, South Korea: Epidemiological Survey

Abstract

An Outbreak of Hematopoietic and Reproductive Disorders Due to Solvents Containing 2‐Bromopropane in an Electronic Factory, South Korea: Epidemiological Survey: Jung‐Sun Park, et al. Industrial Health Research Institute, Korea Industrial Safety Corporation (KISCO) Objectives This survey was conducted to identify the causative agent in the outbreak in an electronic factory in Korea. Methods The questionnaire administered to subjects consisted of questions regarding medical and occupational history, including current work practices. Employees were also examined for liver, kidney, brain, reproductive organ and bone marrow function, etc. Detailed investigation of industrial hygiene was conducted to identify the potential source of occupational exposure. Results Among the three subject groups, all 23 intoxication cases (6 males and 17 females) were found in the only section using a new cleaning solution, the Tactile Switch Assembly Operation (total workers: 8 males and 25 females). Abnormal findings in the cases were only hypofunctions of the reproductive organs (ovarian failure, azoospermia or oligospermia) and the bone marrow (pancytopenia). 2‐bromopropane is the main component in the cleaning solution (97.4%). Until late November, 1994, workers were exposed to the cleaning solution directly without using proper protective equipment. The solvent was changed from Freon 113 to the above mixture solution in February, 1994. There has been no case among workers who quit before February, 1994. Freon 113 can therefore be excluded as a possible causative agent in the outbreak. Conclusions The outbreak in the section of Tactile Switch Assembly Operation was caused by exposure to the new cleaning solution. The causative agent is most likely to be 2‐bromopropane.

Analysis of Teratogenic Effects of Maternal Treatment with 2‐Bromopropane in Mice

“…The epidemiological study by the Korea Industry Safety Corporation did not refer to any toxic effects of 2-BP on embryos in female workers who might have been exposed to a cleaning solvent containing 2-BP during gestation 2) . Although it was reported that one pregnant woman who had been exposed to 2-BP had delivered a normal full-term baby, it was not known whether the woman had been exposed to 2-BP before conception or during gestation 9) .…”

“…This restriction has advanced the urgent development of alternative chemicals. Recently, in a Korean electronic factory, male and female workers exposed to 2-bromopropane (2-BP), which does not seem to affect the stratospheric ozone and is therefore used as an alternative solvent in open systems instead of CFCs, had potential hematopoietic and reproductive disorders 2) . Several experimental studies also indicate that 2-BP exhibits reproductive and hematopoietic toxicity 3) , but there are very few data containing information on the teratogenicity of 2-BP, although Lim et al 4) showed a decrease in the number of rat pups born and no teratogenic effects after maternal treatment with 2-BP during pre-organogenesis, which is not a critical stage in organogenesis.…”

NTP-CERHR Expert Panel Report on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of 2-bromopropane

“…In a Korean plant, the purity of 2-BP used was 97.4% and contaminants included n-heptane (0.33%), 1,2-dibromopropane (0.2%), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (0.01%) [3][4][5]. The reported purity of 2-BP used in a Chinese plant was 98.08% and contaminants consisted of 2-propanol (1.76%), dibromopropane (0.085%), benzene (0.055%), and trichloroethylene (0.10%) [6].…”

“…The extent of these uses and associated human exposures is unknown. In Asia, 2-BP has been used as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons and 1,1,1-trichloroethane [3][4][5][6]. Since it is a contaminant in 1-BP, exposure to 2-BP may occur when 1-BP is used.…”

“…In a Korean plant where 2-BP was used to clean electronic parts, the cleaning solution contained 97.4% 2-BP as well as n-heptane (0.33%), 1,2-dibromopropane (0.2%), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (0.01%) [3][4][5]. Since the process using that solution was no longer functioning, exposures to 2-BP were simulated to represent the seven assembly lines, each with a cleaning bath in a hood and the three or four automatic assembly lines.…”