EPA designated dicyclohexyl phthalate 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 dicyclohexyl phthalate
• Conditions of use of dicyclohexyl phthalate
• Recent activities and opportunities for public comment

Background on Dicyclohexyl Phthalate

Dicyclohexyl phthalate (CASRN 84-61-7) is a granular solid at room temperature. The primary use for dicyclohexyl phthalate is as a plasticizer in adhesives and plastic and rubber products and resins. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for dicyclohexyl phthalate indicates the reported production volume is between 500 thousand and 1 million lbs/year.

Conditions of Use of Dicyclohexyl 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 dicyclohexyl phthalate, for example:

• As a plasticizer in adhesive, paint and coating, plastic product, rubber product, and plastic resin manufacturing;
• As a phlegmatizer (to improve safety and stability) in a variety of peroxide curing agent mixtures used in industrial and commercial applications, such as roofing systems, road markings, coatings, adhesives and other composites;
• In industrial and commercial automobile and aerospace products;
• For laboratory chemicals; and
• In commercial and consumer products, such as adhesives and sealants, and plastic and rubber 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 teh docket for this chemical, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0504 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.