Risk Evaluation for Butyl Benzyl Phthalate - 1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1- butyl 2(phenylmethyl) ester
EPA designated butyl benzyl phthalate - 1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1- butyl 2(phenylmethyl) 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 butyl benzyl phthalate
- Conditions of use of butyl benzyl phthalate
- Recent activities and opportunities for public comment
Background on Butyl Benzyl Phthatlate
Butyl benzyl phthalate (CASRN 85-68-7) is a clear, oily liquid. The primary use for butyl benzyl phthalate is as a plasticizer in adhesives and sealants, floor coverings, paints and coatings, and use in plastic and rubber products. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for butyl benzyl phthalate indicates the reported production volume is between 10 million and 50 million lbs/year (manufacture and import).
Conditions of Use of Butyl Benzyl Phthatlate
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 butyl benzyl phthalate, for example:
- In floor coverings;
- In adhesive and sealant manufacturing and paint and coating manufacturing;
- For laboratory chemicals; and
- In commercial and consumer products, including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, floor coverings, furniture, fabric, textiles and leather.
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-2018-0501 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.