EPA designated di-isobutyl phthalate - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis-(2methylpropyl) ester) as a High-Priority Substance in December 2019 and the chemical is currently undergoing risk evaluation.

Find other information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA. 

On this page:

• Background on di-isobutyl phthalate
• Conditions of use of di-isobutyl phthalate
• Recent activities and opportunities for public comment

Background on Di-isobutyl Phthalate 

Di-isobutyl phthalate (CASRN 84-69-5) is a colorless liquid. The primary use for di-isobutyl phthalate is a plasticizer in adhesive and sealant manufacturing. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for di-isobutyl phthalate indicates the reported production volume is less than 1,000,000 lbs/year (manufacture and import).

Conditions of Use of Di-isobutyl Phthalate 

In the final scope, EPA identified conditions of use associated with the importing; processing; distribution in commerce; industrial, commercial and consumer uses; and disposal of di-isobutyl phthalate, for example:

• In adhesives and sealants;
• In paints and coatings;
• In plastic and rubber products;
• For laboratory chemicals; and
• In commercial and consumer products, including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, plastic and rubber, dyes in fabric, textiles and leather and inks, toner and colorant.

The above listed conditions of use are ways that a person or the environment could be potentially exposed to this chemical. However, when conducting a risk evaluation, EPA also considers the hazards (i.e. health effects or environmental impacts) that could occur from coming in contact with a chemical.

Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment

In August 2020, EPA published a final scope document outlining the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations the agency expects to consider in its risk evaluation. The agency released the draft scope in April 2020 and took public comments on the draft document.

• Read the final scope of the risk evaluation for this chemical and EPA’s response to comments on the draft scope.
• View the docket for this chemical, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0434 on www.regulations.gov.

As EPA continues to move through the risk evaluation process there will be additional opportunities for public comment, including a public comment period on the draft risk evaluation. In addition to public comment periods, EPA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it refines the risk evaluation and stakeholders should reach out to EPA via the staff contact to engage with the agency.