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Diethyl phthalate
Description: Diethyl phthalate (C.A.S. 84-66-2) is a manufactured, colorless, oily liquid with a slight aromatic odor and a bitter taste. It is commonly used to make plastics more flexible, in products such as toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. It is also used in insecticides, mosquito repellents, aspirin, and cosmetics, including bath preparations, eye shadows, hair sprays, wave sets, nail polish, nail polish remover, nail extenders, detergents, aftershave lotions, and skin care preparations.
Diethyl phthalate is used to manufacture celluloid; as a solvent for cellulose acetate in varnishes; as a fixative for perfumes; as a wetting agent; as a camphor substitute; as a diluent in polysulfide dental impression materials; and as a solvent for nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate. It is used as a plasticizer in solid rocket propellants and cellulose ester plastics such as photographic films and sheets, blister packaging, and tape applications.
Chemical properties:
Diethyl phthalate is soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, vegetable oils, ketones, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic solvents. It is compatible with polar polymers and additives over a wide range of compositions. When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke.
Because diethyl phthalate is not a part of the chain of chemicals, or polymers, which makes up the plastics, it can be released fairly easily from products in which it is used.
Synonyms for diethyl phthalate are 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diethyl ester; ethyl phthalate; diethyl o-phthalate; o-benzenedicarboxylic acid diethyl ester; diethyl ester phthalic acid; phthalol; DEP; and diethyl-o-phenylenediacetate.
Identification:
Health effects:
Diethyl phthalate is "regarded as showing little acute or chronic toxic properties," according to a report in the Hazardous Substances Databank. Exposure to diethyl phthalate can irritate the eyes. When heated or hot, it may cause transient irritation of the nose or throat. In high concentrations, diethyl phthalate is a narcotic, an irritant to mucous membranes, and a depressant of the central nervous system.
The most probable causes of exposure to diethyl phthalate for the general population are inhalation of vapors and contaminated particles, ingestion of contaminated drinking water or shell fish, and dermal contact from use of consumer products such as insecticidal sprays, insect repellents, and perfumes.
People can also be exposed to diethyl phthalate through contact with plasticized products such as vinyl swimming pools, plasticized vinyl seats on furniture and in cars, and clothing such as jackets, raincoats, and boots.
Exposure Values:
Economics:
U.S. manufacturers of diethyl phthalate are Eastman Kodak Co, Kingsport, TN, and Unitex Chemical Co, Greensboro, NC.
Regulation:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates diethyl phthalate as an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives. Diethyl phthalate is regulated under the Clean Water Act, RCRA and CERCLA. EPA Offices regulating diethyl phthalate are Drinking Water, Emergency and Remedial Response, Solid Waste, and Toxic Substances.
Diethyl phthalate is designated a toxic pollutant under the Clean Water Act. It is also regulated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which designates it as a toxic waste.
Notations: The NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs) are time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is designated by "ST" preceding the value; unless noted otherwise, the STEL is a 15-minute TWA exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday. A ceiling REL is designated by "C" preceding the value. Any substance that NIOSH considers to be a potential occupational carcinogen is designated by the notation "Ca." The OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) are found in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 of the OSHA General Industry Air Contaminants Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000). Unless noted otherwise, PEL are TWA concentrations that must not be exceeded during any 8-hour workshift of a 40-hour workweek. A STEL is designated by "ST" preceding the value and is measured over a 15-minute period unless noted otherwise. OSHA ceiling concentrations (designated by "C" preceding the value) must not be exceeded during any part of the workday; if instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, the ceiling must be assessed as a 15-minute TWA exposure. In addition, there are a number of substances from Table Z-2 (e.g., beryllium, ethylene dibromide, etc.) that have PEL ceiling values that must not be exceeded except for specified excursions. For example, a "5-minute maximum peak in any 2 hours" means that a 5-minute exposure above the ceiling value, but never above the maximum peak, is allowed in any 2 hours during an 8-hour workday. Information Sources:
Originally published in Environment Writer by the National Safety Council. Reprinted with permission. Environment Writer Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Office of Marine Programs Narragansett, RI 02882 Tel: 401-874-6211; Fax: 401-874-6485 Disclaimer * Copyright 2002-2006 * All rights reserved. * University of Rhode Island |