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Name: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Chemical Formula: C24H38O4
Common Synonyms: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dioctyl phthalate
CAS Number: 117-81-7
Classification: DEHP falls into the category of substances known to pose a risk as a reproductive toxicant and is flagged as hazardous by several regulatory bodies
Signal Words: Warning or Hazard, reflecting risks of affecting fertility or unborn children
Hazard Statements: Suspected of damaging fertility; May cause harm to the unborn child; May cause drowsiness or dizziness from inhalation of vapors; Prolonged contact can irritate the skin and eyes
Physical Hazards: Not highly flammable or explosive, but forms a slick surface if spilled
Main Ingredient: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (over 99 percent by weight)
Impurities: Trace phthalates or byproducts present depending on manufacturing process
No known stabilizers or hazardous additives in pure DEHP intended for general industrial use
Eye Contact: Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical advice if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; breathing difficulties require prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical professionals
Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide; water spray to cool surfaces
Hazards in Fire: Burning can yield carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and potentially phthalic anhydride
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear; DEHP vapors can become hazardous at high temperatures
Personal Precautions: Gloves, safety goggles, and impermeable footwear cut down risks of skin and eye exposure
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering soil, drains, or water bodies; DEHP contaminates groundwater and bioaccumulates in aquatic systems
Containment: Use absorbent materials like sand or earth; shovel residue into drums for disposal
Clean-up Procedures: Wash area with soap and water once bulk material is collected
Handling: Work in ventilated areas; limit inhalation or skin contact; avoid eating or drinking when working with DEHP
Storage: Store in tight, clearly labeled containers; keep cool, dry, and protected from direct sunlight; do not store near strong oxidizers, acids, or food items
Engineering Controls: Ventilation systems, local exhaust where vapor concentration could increase
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, lab coats; consider respirators for high vapor situations
Occupational Exposure Limits: Regulatory bodies publish recommended levels—typically measured in mg/m3 over an eight-hour period; workplace monitoring ensures safe air quality
Appearance: Oily, colorless to light yellow liquid
Odor: Slight, almost imperceptible odor
Boiling Point: Around 385°C
Melting Point: -50°C
Vapor Pressure: Extremely low at room temperature
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, or ether
Density: About 0.98 g/cm³ at 20°C
Flash Point: Over 200°C, making fire risk low under normal conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and use conditions
Reactivity: Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents
Decomposition Products: High heat generates acidic vapors, phthalic anhydride, and phthalic acid; toxic gases possible in fire
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin, or eye contact
Acute Effects: Possible irritation of mucous membranes, nausea, headache
Chronic Effects: Reproductive toxicity has been consistently reported in animal studies; signs point to potential disruption of human endocrine systems, childhood developmental concerns, and fertility risks with repeated exposure
Carcinogenic Status: Listed by multiple health agencies as a possible human carcinogen
Other Health Effects: Central nervous system effects reported in some exposure scenarios
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: DEHP accumulates in fish and aquatic insects; toxic to plankton and poses bioaccumulation risk up the food chain
Persistence: Breaks down slowly in the environment; residues have been found in river sediments and groundwater many years after release
Degradability: Only partial microbial or photolytic degradation reported; persistence raises red flags for regulatory bodies
Mobility: Binds tightly to soil, but can leach into water under certain circumstances
Waste Management: DEHP and contaminated materials require treatment as hazardous waste in most jurisdictions
Disposal Method: Incineration in specialized facilities often preferred to landfill disposal
Regulatory Guidance: Many local and national authorities strictly regulate phthalate disposal due to concerns about environmental build-up and food chain contamination
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous under many international transport regulations
Transport Precautions: Leak-proof containers prevent spills; avoid loading with strong oxidizers or food cargo
Bulk Shipping: Facilities need containment measures in case of spills or container failure, especially for waterways
Global Registrations: Listed on chemical inventories in Europe, US, Canada, and Asia; regulated as a substance of very high concern in certain frameworks
Restriction Status: Many countries restrict use in children’s toys, food packaging, or medical devices
Worker Protection: Regulations require training for workers handling DEHP, mandatory air quality and surface monitoring where exposure is possible
Community Right-to-Know: Laws like the US Toxics Release Inventory and EU REACH ensure public awareness of large-scale use or release
