title: Neurotoxicity associated with exposure to 1-bromopropane in golf-club cleansing workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is an alternative to ozone-depleting solvent that is used in degreasing, dry cleaning, spray adhesives, and aerosol solvents. Occupational exposure to 1-BP is associated with adverse peripheral sensory, motor, and central nervous system (CNS) effects. We report our Health Hazard and Medical Evaluation of 6 patients with neurotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to 1-BP. Case series and environmental evaluation. Six workers, 1 male and 5 female, were exposed to high ambient 1-BP concentrations while employed in a golf club cleaning factory. 1-BP was identified in the bulk solvent sample used by the workers and confirmed the workers' daily occupational exposure to 1-BP for 3-10 months. The major presenting symptoms were tingling pain, soreness in lower extremities, and paresthesia. N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine (AcPrCys), a 1-BP metabolite, was identified by LC/MS/MS in the urine (0.171-1.74 mg/g-Cr) of these workers 5-26 days following 1-BP exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An occupational outbreak of 1-BP poisoning occurred as a result of recurrent power outages, condenser, and exhaust fans malfunction, and inadequate personal protection. Occupational exposure to 1-BP may result in peripheral neuropathy as well as adverse CNS effects. Urine AcPrCys may be a specific biomarker for 1-BP exposure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Toxicology and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Te-Hao
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming-Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ya-Hsueh
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-Jen
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Kon-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chao-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chen-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jou-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001711:Biotransformation; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006055:Golf; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000652:urine; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019876:Sports Equipment; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C520626:N-acetyl-S-propylcysteine; D012997:Solvents; D000111:Acetylcysteine; C118559:1-bromopropane
keywords: 1-Bromopropane; Neurotoxicity; Occupational exposure; Solvent; n-acetyl-s-propylcysteine