Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 170(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.0X10-12 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-3 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Biodegradation studies using a series of commercial phthalate esters and acclimated inoculum have demonstrated that in general, phthalate esters may be susceptible to biodegradation(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 170(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.0X10-12 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 27(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 4.06(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important process(SRC) based on estimated hydrolysis half-lives of 1.3 years and 49 days at pHs 7 and 8, respectively(8). Biodegradation studies using a series of commercial phthalate esters and acclimated inoculum have demonstrated that, in general, phthalate esters may be susceptible to biodegradation(9).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 9.1 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.3X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate does contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Inhibitory effect of 18 phthalic acid esters (1-200 ug/mL) on Tetrahymena pyriformis was investigated. Cytostatic toxicity occurred with those having alkyl chain C1-C8 in alcohol moiety. Dibutoxyethyl phthalate was moderately toxic.

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate can be estimated to be 170(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to have moderate mobility in soil.

AEROBIC: Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate, present at 3,000 ppm, exhibited a biodegradation half-life of 10 days at 30 °C using the soil microbe Pseudomonas acidovorans 256-1, in media containing 6,000 ppm phthalate esters(1). Biodegradation studies using a series of commercial phthalate esters and acclimated inoculum have demonstrated that in general, phthalate esters may be susceptible to biodegradation(2). A proposed pathway is via enzymatic ester hydrolysis to form the monoester and corresponding alcohol; further enzymatic degradation of the monoester proceeds via phthalic acid to procatechuate, ultimately yielding acetyl CoA and succinate(3).

An estimated BCF of 27 was calculated in fish for bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 4.06(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is estimated as 2.0X10-12 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-3 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Rats inhaling 290 ppm over a 6-hr period showed no adverse effects.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Application of DBEP to rabbit skin causes slight irritation. Instillation of 500 mg into rabbit eyes causes mild irritation.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ ... Relatively well tolerated when fed in diet of rats for 30 day period at ... up to 0.5 g/kg/day. At higher levels, such as 1.7 g/kg/day, some reduced growth, appetite, and histological changes were noted.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity/ Dibutoxyethyl /phthalate/ ... injected into the yolk at 2.5 to 3 days of incubation was associated with cranial bifida and anophthalmia /in chick embryos/.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BIS(2-BUTOXYETHYL) PHTHALATE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 4.3X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 9.1 hours at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 0.16 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(2); this corresponds to half-lives of 1.3 years and 49 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(2). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate does contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Occupational exposure to bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate may occur through inhalation of aerosols and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate is produced or used. Use data indicate that the general population may be exposed to bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate via products containing this compound. (SRC)