September 2001 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Di-n-butyl Phthalate |
(Di-n-butil ftalato) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about di-n-butyl phthalate. For more
information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at
1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Di-n-butyl phthalate
is a manufactured chemical that is added to plastics,
paint, glue, hair spray, and other household products.
It is commonly found in the environment, and most people
are exposed to low levels in the air, water, and food.
No harmful effects have been found in humans. In laboratory
animals, oral exposure to very high levels can cause impaired
reproduction and developmental effects. This substance
has been found in at least 471 of the 1,585 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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What
is di-n-butyl phthalate? |
Di-n-butyl phthalate is a manufactured
chemical that does not occur naturally. It is an odorless
and oily liquid that is colorless to faint yellow in color.
It is slightly soluble in water and does not evaporate easily.
Di-n-butyl phthalate is used to make
plastics more flexible and is also in carpet backings, paints,
glue, insect repellents, hair spray, nail polish, and rocket
fuel.
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What
happens to di-n-butyl phthalate when it enters the environment? |
- Di-n-butyl phthalate is released to air as a vapor. It
can react with other chemicals in the air and is usually
broken down within a few days. Di-n-butyl phthalate can
also attach to particles in the air and eventually settle
to the land and water.
- Most of the di-n-butyl phthalate in water attaches to
sediment and settles out of the water or is broken down
by bacteria. Small amounts may evaporate to the air.
- When released to the soil, it attaches to soil particles
and is broken down by bacteria.
- There is no evidence that it builds up in the food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate? |
- Most people are probably exposed to low levels of di-n-butyl phthalate in the air because it is used in so many household
products.
- People who use products which contain di-n-butyl phthalate,
such as nail polish, may be exposed by breathing it in the
air or getting it on their skin.
- The general population may also be exposed by eating
food containing di-n-butyl phthalate, such as fish and shellfish,
or food which is packaged or stored in materials containing
di-n-butyl phthalate.
- If you work or live near a factory where di-n-butyl phthalate
is made or used, you could be exposed to higher than usual
levels.
- People living near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
may also be exposed to higher than usual levels of di-n-butyl phthalate.
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How
can di-n-butyl phthalate affect my health? |
Di-n-butyl phthalate appears to have
relatively low toxicity. Adverse effects have not been reported
in humans as a result of exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate.
In laboratory animals, studies show that
eating large amounts of di-n-butyl phthalate can affect their
ability to reproduce. Sperm production can decrease, but returns
to near normal levels when exposure stops. Large amounts of
di-n-butyl phthalate repeatedly applied to the skin for a
long time can cause mild irritation. We do not know if similar
effects would occur in humans.
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How
likely is di-n-butyl phthalate to cause cancer? |
There have been no cancer studies in
humans and the one study in laboratory animals is inadequate.
The EPA has determined that di-n-butyl phthalate is not classifiable
as to human carcinogenicity based on inadequate evidence in
both humans and animals.
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How
can di-n-butyl phthalate affect children? |
It is likely that health effects seen
in children exposed to high levels of di-n-butyl phthalate
will be similar to the effects seen in adults. We do not know
whether children differ from adults in their susceptibility
to di-n-butyl phthalate.
We do not know if exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate will result in birth defects or other developmental
effects in people. Birth defects have been observed in laboratory
animals exposed to high levels of di-n-butyl phthalate during
development. Death, low body weights, skeletal effects, cleft
palate, and damage to the testes have been observed in animals
exposed during development.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate? |
Di-n-butyl phthalate is used in many
household products. The level of di-n-butyl phthalate in
a product is higher when the product is new than when the
product is old. Because di-n-butyl phthalate may be in some
toys, children chewing on such toys could be exposed; however,
no measurements have yet been made to show whether children
are exposed in this way.
Children should avoid playing in soils
near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites where di-n-butyl phthalate
may have been discarded.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate? |
Tests are available to measure di-n-butyl phthalate in blood and body tissues, and its major breakdown
products in urine. However, these tests cannot determine whether
you will experience health effects or be used to predict the
nature or severity of any effects. Because special equipment
is needed, these tests are not usually done in the doctor's
office.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends that levels of di-n-butyl phthalate in lakes and streams should be limited to 34 parts
of di-n-butyl phthalate per million parts of water (34 ppm)
to prevent possible human health effects from drinking water
or eating fish contaminated with this chemical.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a limit of 5 milligrams of di-n-butyl phthalate
per cubic meter of workplace air (5 mg/m³) for 8 hour
shifts and 40 hour work weeks.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 2001. Toxicological
Profile for di-n-butyl phthalate. Update. Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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