Technical Factsheet on: Dl (2-ETHYLHEXYL)
PHTHALATE (DEHP)
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
Drinking Water Standards
MCLG: zero
MCL: 0.006 mg/L
HAL(child): none
Health Effects Summary
Acute: EPA has found di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to potentially cause the following health effects
from acute exposures at levels above the MCL: mild gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, vertigo.
Chronic: DEHP has the potential to cause the following health effects from long-term exposures at levels
above the MCL: damage to liver and testes; reproductive effects.
Cancer: There is some evidence that DEHP may have the potential to cause cancer from a lifetime
exposure at levels above the MCL.
Usage Patterns
DEHP is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called phthalates or phthalic acid
esters.The greatest use of DEHP is as a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymers
including rubber, cellulose and styrene. A number of packaging materials and tubings used in the
production of foods and beverages are polyvinyl chloride contaminated with phthalic acid esters, primarily
DEHP.
It is also used widely in insect repellant formulations cosmetics, rubbing alcohol, liquid soap, detergents,
decorative inks, lacquers, munitions, industrial and lubricating oils, defoaming agents during paper and
paperboard manufactures, and as pesticide carriers, in photographic film, wire and cable, adhesives, as
an organic vacuum pump fluid, a dielectric in capacitators.
Production of DEHP increased during the 1980s, from 251 million lbs in 1982 to over 286 million lbs. in
1986, with imports of 6 million lbs. In 1986, it was estimated that industries consumed DEHP as follows:
plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride, 95%; other uses, 5%.
Release Patterns
DEHP is used in large quantities, primarily as a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride and other polymeric
materials. Disposal of these products (incineration, landfill, etc) will result in the release of DEHP into the
environment. DEHP has been detected in the effluent of numerous industrial plants.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, DEHP releases to land and
water totalled over 500,000 lbs., of which about 95 percent was to land. These releases were primarily
from rubber and plastic hose industries . The largest releases (10% or more of the total) occurred in
Wisconsin and Tennessee.

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Environmental Fate
DEHP released to soil will neither evaporate nor leach into groundwater. DEHP has a strong tendency to
adsorb to soil and sediments. Calculated log Koc values of 4 to 5 have been reported. Experimental
evidence demonstrates strong partitioning to clays and sediments (log K= 4-5). Limited data is available
to suggest that it may biodegrade in soil under aerobic conditions following acclimation.
DEHP released to water systems will biodegrade fairly rapidly (half-life 2-3 weeks) following a period of
acclimation. It will also strongly adsorb to sediments (log Koc 4 to 5). Evaporation and hydrolysis are not
significant aquatic processes.
Atmospheric DEHP will be carried long distances and be removed by rain.
DEHP does have a tendency to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms; the experimental BCF values range
from a log of 2 to 4 in fish and invertebrates. In fathead minnows the log BCF was 2.93; in bluegill sunfish
it was 2.06 .
Human exposure will occur in occupational settings and from air, from consumption of drinking water,
food (especially fish etc, where bioconcentration can occur) and food wrapped in PVC, as well as during
blood transfusions from PVC blood bags.
Chemical/ Physical Properties
CAS Number: 117-81-7
Color/ Form/Odor: Colorless oily liquid
M.P.: -50 C B.P.: 230 C (5 mm Hg)
Vapor Pressure: 1.32 mm Hg at 200 C
Octanol/Water Partition (Kow): Log Kow = 4.89
Density/Spec. Grav.: 0.99 at 20 C
Solubility: 0.285 mg/L of water at 24 C; Slightly soluble in water
Soil sorption coefficient: Log Koc measured at 4 to 5; low mobility in soil
Odor/Taste Thresholds: N/A
Bioconcentration Factor: Log BCF =2 to 4 in fish; expected to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms.
Henry's Law Coefficient: 1x10-4 atm-cu m/mole
Trade Names/Synonyms: DEHP; Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate; BEHP; Dioctyl phthalate; Pittsburgh PX-
138; Platinol AH; RC Plasticizer DOP; Reomol D79P; Sicol 150; Staflex DOP; Truflex DOP; Vestinol AH;
Vinicizer 80; Palatinol AH; Hercoflex 260; Kodaflex DOP; Mollan O; Nuoplaz DOP; Octoil; Eviplast 80;
Fleximel; Flexol DOP; Good-rite GP264; Hatcol DOP; Ergoplast FDO; DAF 68; Bisoflex81
Other Regulatory Information

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Monitoring For Ground/Surface Water Sources:
Initial Frequency- 4 quarterly samples every 3 years
Repeat Frequency- If no detections during initial round:
2 quarterly per year if serving >3300 persons;
1 sample per 3 years for smaller systems
Triggers - Return to Initial Freq. if detect at > 0.0006 mg/L
Analysis:
Reference Source Method Numbers
EPA 600/4-88-039 506; 525.2
Treatment- Best Available Technologies:
Granular Activated Charcoal
Toxic Release Inventory - Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):

Water

TOTALS
16,910

Top Five States*


Wl
500
255,000
TN
3,491
80,419
OH
268
62,982
NJ
3,956
23,139
NY
500
13,284
Land
471,191
Major Industries
Misc rubber products	274	311,900
Rubber, plastic hose	10	80,019
Cyclic crudes, intermed.	3,099	12,200
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater than 100 lbs.
For Additional Information:
EPA can provide further regulatory and other general information:
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline - 800/426-4791
Other sources of toxicological and environmental fate data include:
Toxic Substance Control Act Information Line - 202/554-1404
Toxics Release Inventory, National Library of Medicine - 301/496-6531
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - 404/639-6000

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