Common Name: Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate CAS Number: 117-81-7 DOT Number: None Date: July 31, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate can affect you when breathed in. * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a CARCINOGEN and a TERATOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * It may damage the testes (male reproductive glands). IDENTIFICATION Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a light colored, oily, almost odorless liquid that is used as a plasticizer. REASON FOR CITATION * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DEP, and NTP. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 10 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a PROBABLE CANCER CAUSING AGENT, and a TERATOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Bis (2- Ethylhexyl) Phthalate and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ----------------------------------------- HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: * Exposure may cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a PROBABLE CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. It has been shown to cause liver cancer in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. Reproductive Hazard * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a PROBABLE TERATOGEN in humans. * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate may damage the testes (male reproductive glands). Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposures may affect the kidneys and liver. * Some similar compounds may cause numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver and kidney function tests. * Examination of the nervous system. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. * ACGIH recommends Neoprene and Nitrile Rubber as good to excellent protective materials. Eye Protection * Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory protection. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZING MATERIALS, such as PERMANGANATES, NITRATES, PEROXIDES, CHLORATES, and PERCHLORATES, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Common Name: Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 117-81-7 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- CANCER CAUSING AGENT COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. Water can be used to keep fire exposed containers cool. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Bis (2- Ethylhexyl) Phthalate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.01 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 425oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,2 Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Ester Other Names and Formulations: Disec Octyl Phthalate; DOP; DEHP. ----------------------------------------- Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ----------------------------------------- NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is widely used to make plastics. Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is a component of many products found in homes and automobiles, as well as in the medical and packaging industries. Its wide use and distribution, as well as its high volatility and persistence, lead to its common occurrrence in fish, water, and sediments. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate has low acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate has low chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 42.8% of Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate will eventually end up in terrestrial soil; about 40% will end up in aquatic sediments; and about 17% will end up in air. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living oranisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.