Dimethoxyethyl 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 38(SRC), determined from a water solubility of 8500 mg/L(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.8X10-13 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.3X10-4 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate was biodegraded 19.3% using an enzyme extracted from N. erythropolis(6), suggesting that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is susceptible to biodegradation(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 38(SRC), determined from a water solubility of 8500 mg/L(2}and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is not 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 2.8X10-13 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 1.4(SRC), from an estimated log Kow(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). Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate was biodegraded 19.3% using an enzyme extracted from Nocardia erythropolis(9), suggesting that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate may be susceptible to biodegradation(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.3X10-4 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-methoxyethyl) 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 20 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.9X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate does contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=117-82-8][Available from: http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=117-82-8]

The Koc of bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is estimated as 38(SRC), using a water solubility of 8500(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

The effects of acute oral exposure to bis(methoxyethyl) phthalate (MEP) by gavage in male Wistar rats (20 in control group (water), 5/treated group, number of treated groups not reported) were determined. MEP (1000, 1500 or 2000 mg/kg) was administered in a single dose and the rats were necropsied on the 11th day following dosing. There were differences between treated and control animals in the following: decreased testes weights (all treated groups), increased sperm head count (high-dose level), and a highly significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm heads, including straight heads (i.e. no hook), excessive curvature of heads, folded, coiled, thin or amorphous heads (high- and mid-dose groups). There were no significant differences between treated and control animals in the following: clinical observations, and histopathology of the testes.

AEROBIC: Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate was biodegraded 19.3% using an enzyme extracted from Nocardia erythropolis(1). When present at 3,000 ppm, the compound was not degradaded after 40 days incubation at 30 °C using the soil microbe Pseudomonas acidovorans 256-1(2).

An estimated BCF of 1.4 was calculated in fish for bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 1.11(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-methoxyethyl) phthalate is estimated as 2.8X10-13 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.3X10-4 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Tests were carried out on adult Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 g. The dimethoxyethyl phthalate was mixed with a very small amt of absolute alc ... to dilute it & assist absorption. Ingesting 2 g/kg body wt did not cause death of 6 rats which received the dose. At 2.5 g/kg, 3 rats out of 12 died /within/ 36 hr after ingestion, & others survived. At 2.75 g/kg, 5 rats out of 10 died between 25 & 36 hr after ingestion.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Application to rabbit and guinea pig skin causes slight irritation. Instillation of 100 mg into rabbit eyes causes mild irritation.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ In rats inhaling dimethoxyethyl phthalate 6 hr/d for 62 days, a no-effect level of 145 ppm was observed.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Groups of rats were treated with 0, 100, or 1000 mg/kg by oral intubation for 2 wk. Body weight and food consumption was reduced at 1000 mg/kg. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were reduced at 100 and 1000 mg/kg; erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were reduced at 1000 mg/kg. Absolute liver, kidney, thymus, and testes weights were decreased at 1000 mg/kg, as were relative thymus and testes weights. Thymic and testicular atrophy were observed as was a decrease in spermatogonia.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BIS(2-METHOXYETHYL) PHTHALATE (23 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 1.9X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 20 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-methoxyethyl) phthalate does contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 68 workers (0 of these were female) were potentially exposed to bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate in the US(1). Occupational exposure to bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate may occur through dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate is produced or used(SRC). Use data indicate that the general population may be exposed via inhalation and dermal contact with consumer products containing this compound(SRC).