Risk Evaluation for Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- diisononyl ester)
In May 2024, EPA released the draft physical chemical, fate, and hazard assessment for di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-isononyl ester) for public comment and peer review. EPA will use these materials to inform the draft risk evaluation, which will be released for public comment later this year. EPA granted the manufacturer request for risk evaluation for DINP in December 2019.
Learn more about manufacturer-requested risk evaluations.
Find other information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA.
On this page:
- Hazard Assessment for DINP
- Background on DINP
- Uses of DINP
- Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment
- Supporting Documents
Hazard Assessment for DINP
EPA is requesting peer review on the DINP hazard assessment before releasing the full draft risk evaluation for public comment in late 2024.
EPA has preliminarily determined that DINP can cause developmental toxicity and liver damage. DINP could also cause cancer at higher thresholds (i.e., at levels of exposure higher than those that cause non-cancer liver and developmental toxicity) and has the potential to cause phthalate syndrome.
Background on DINP
DINP is a common chemical name for the category of chemicals that includes the following substances: 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-isononyl ester and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C9-11-branched alkyl esters, C9-rich. The primary use for DINP is as a plasticizer in plastic and rubber products. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for DINP indicates the reported production volume is between 200 million and 500 million lbs/year (domestic manufacture including import).
Uses of DINP
In the final scope of the DINP risk evaluation, EPA identified conditions of use under TSCA associated with the importing; processing; distribution in commerce; industrial, commercial and consumer uses; and disposal of DINP, including:
- As a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
- In building and construction materials;
- In automotive care and fuel products; and
- In other commercial and consumer products, including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, electrical and electronic products, and other plastic and rubber products.
The above listed conditions of use are ways that a person or the environment could be potentially exposed to DINP. 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.
There are other uses of DINP that do not fall under TSCA, such as personal care products, cosmetics, and food contact materials.
Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment
In May 2024, EPA released the draft physical chemical, fate, and hazard assessment for DINP for public comment and peer review. EPA will accept public comments on the draft documents for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0073 at www.regulations.gov.
EPA will hold a virtual peer review public meeting of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) to discuss the draft risk evaluation documents from July 30-August 2, 2024. EPA will also hold a virtual preparatory public meeting on July 23, 2024, for the SACC and the public to consider and ask questions regarding the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions and areas of review. EPA is not developing charge questions for all aspects of the draft risk evaluation materials for DINP; instead, it is asking the SACC to review specific scientific areas that need peer review. View the SACC website for more information on these meetings.
In August 2021, EPA published the 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 November 2020 and took public comments on the draft document.
- Read the final scope of the risk evaluation for DINP and EPA's response to comments on the draft scope.
- Read the supporting and decision documents for this manufacturer-requested risk evaluation.
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 multiple public comment periods, EPA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it develops the risk evaluation, and stakeholders should reach out to EPA via the staff contact to engage with the agency.
Supporting Documents
DINP Draft Physical Chemistry Assessment May 2024 (pdf)
DINP Draft Fate Assessment May 2024 (pdf)
DINP Draft Environmental Hazard Assessment May 2024 (pdf)
DINP Draft Non-caner Human Health Hazard Assessment May 2024 (pdf)