Number

026-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

In this study a number of alternative plasticisers to the phthalates DEHP (Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), DBP (Di-n-butyl phthalate) and BBP (Butyl benzyl phthalate) are described and assessed. Suitable alternative plasticisers have been identified for most applications of the phthalates, and ten of these have been assessed in detail.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation) and is listed in the hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: All ten assessed substances are expected to have low acute toxicity based on animal studies. For three of the assessed alternatives data exists demonstrating that they cannot be considered CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic); for the other alternatives data for at least one critical parameter are missing. The toxicological data for DEGD (Diethylene glycol dibenzoate) and DGD (Oxydipropyl dibenzoate = Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate), two of the available alternatives to DBP and BBP in polymeric applications (plastics) indicate that the substances have some effect on reproduction, but at the time of this case study the results are not statistically significant and more data are necessary for a clear conclusion. With regard to the environmental properties, none of the ten alternatives are PBT substances (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic in the aquatic environment) or vPvB substances (very persistent and very bioaccumulative), although all substances except GTA (Triacetin = Glycerol Triacetate) show one or two of these properties. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Description of Substitution

In this study, a number of alternative plasticisers to the phthalates DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), DBP (Di-n-butyl phthalate) and BBP (Butyl benzyl phthalate) are described and assessed. Suitable alternative plasticisers have been identified for most applications of the phthalates, and ten of these have been assessed in detail. Some of the assessed alternative plasticisers have a broad application scope, others are more specialised. Plasticiser alternatives to DEHP, first of all the plasticisers DINA (Diisononyl adipate), DINCH (Di-isononyl-cyclohexane-1,2dicarboxylate), DEHT (Di (2-ethyl-hexyl) terephthalate = Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate), ATBC (Acetyl tributyl citrate = Tributyl O-acetylcitrate) and ASE (Sulfonic acids, C10 – C18-alkane, phenyl esters) are more expensive than DEHP. The results of the assessment indicate that alternatives to DBP and BBP are available for the majority of these applications of the substances, at quite similar prices.

Case/substitution evaluation

The alternatives are not included in in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORT screening criteria (SDSC), however according to the risk phrases several of them hold problematic properties. This substitution should be examined for improvement.

State of implementation

Pilot study

Date and place of implementation

28.10.2010 Denmark

Type of information supplier

Authority

Type of publication and availability

Document is freely available on www.mst.dk

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Miljøstyrelsen (The Danish EPA) Strandgade 29 DK-1401 København K Denmark www.mst.dk

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2010/978-87-92708-00-7/pdf/978-87-92708-01-4.pdf

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020