International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE
VOL.: 29 (1982) (p. 269)
CAS No.: 117-81-7
Chem. Abstr. Name: 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl)
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was tested in mice and rats by oral
administration: It significantly increased the incidence of benign
and malignant liver-cell tumours in animals of both species, and a
dose-response relationship was observed.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate can cause testicular damage in rats. There
is evidence that this compound and its metabolite, mono(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate, are teratogenic and embryolethal to rodents.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was not mutagenic to Salmonella
typhimurium. However, it caused dominant lethal mutations in mice
after systemic but not oral administration.
5.2 Human data
Occupational exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate probably occurs
during its manufacture, its use as a plasticizer, its use in
dielectric fluids for electrical capacitors and in the further
processing or use of plasticized products containing it. Its reported
widespread occurrence in ambient air, in drinking, river and ocean
waters, in industrial effluents, in foods and in blood stored in
plasticized bags indicates environmental exposure and exposure of the
general human population.
No data were available to assess the mutagenicity or teratogenicity
of this compound to man.
No adequate epidemiological study was available to the Working
Group.
5.3 Evaluation
There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in mice and rats.
No adequate epidemiological study was available.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Vol. 77 (2000)
Synonyms
- BEHP
- 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(ethylhexyl) ester
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester of phthalic acid
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- Bisoflex 81
- Bisoflex DOP
- Compound 889
- DAF 68
- DEHP
- Di(ethylhexyl) phthalate
- Dioctyl phthalate
- DOP
- Ergoplast FDO
- Ethylhexyl phthalate
- 2-Ethylhexyl phthalate
- Eviplast 80
- Eviplast 81
- Fleximel
- Flexol DOP
- Good-Rite GP 264
- Hatcol DOP
- Kodaflex DOP
- Mollan O
- Nuoplaz DOP
- Octoil
- Octyl phthalate
- Phthalic acid dioctyl ester
- Platinol AH
- Platinol DOP
- Pittsburgh
- PX-138
- Reomol DOP
- Reomol D 79P
- Sicol 150
- Staflex DOP
- Truflex DOP
- Vestinol AH
- Vinicizer 80
- Witcizer 312
Last updated: 9 April 1998