EPA designated di-ethylhexyl phthalate - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester) as a High-Priority Substance in December 2019 and the chemical is currently undergoing risk evaluation.

Find other information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA. 

On this page:

• Background on di-ethylhexyl phthalate
• Conditions of use of di-ethylhexyl phthalate
• Recent activities and opportunities for public comment

Background on Di-ethylhexyl Phthalate

Di-ethylhexyl phthalate is a colorless liquid at room temperature, most commonly used as a plasticizer. As reported to EPA during the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) period and described here as a range to protect production volumes that were claimed as confidential business information (CBI), aggregate production volume of di-ethylhexyl phthalate in 2015 was between 100 million and 250 million pounds.

Condition of Use of Di-ethylhexyl Phthalate

In the final scope, EPA identified conditions of use associated with the importing; processing; distribution in commerce; industrial, commercial and consumer uses; and disposal of di-ethylhexyl phthalate, for example:

• In paint and coating manufacturing, industrial polish;
• Plasticizer in food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing; plastic material and resin manufacturing
• In industrial and commercial aircraft interiors and aerospace products and adhesives; and
• In commercial and consumer products, including paints and coatings, fabric, lawn care, textile, and leather products.

The above listed conditions of use are ways that a person or the environment could be potentially exposed to this chemical. However, when conducting a risk evaluation, EPA also considers the hazards (i.e. health effects or environmental impacts) that could occur from coming in contact with a chemical.

Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment

In August 2020, EPA published a final scope document outlining the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations the agency expects to consider in its risk evaluation. The agency released the draft scope in April 2020 and took public comments on the draft document.

• Read the final scope of the risk evaluation for this chemical and EPA’s response to comments on the draft scope. 
• View the docket for this chemical, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0433 on www.regulations.gov.

As EPA continues to move through the risk evaluation process there will be additional opportunities for public comment, including a public comment period on the draft risk evaluation. In addition to public comment periods, EPA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it refines the risk evaluation and stakeholders should reach out to EPA via the staff contact to engage with the agency.