DEHP

DEHP, or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, is a phthalate ester used primarily as a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). By adding DEHP to PVC, manufacturers increase flexibility and durability in a wide range of products, including vinyl flooring, cables and wires, wall coverings, medical devices, and some toys and packaging materials.

Chemically, DEHP is a high-molecular-weight, lipophilic compound that can migrate from PVC into the surrounding environment or human tissues. In the body, it is hydrolyzed to mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and other metabolites, which can be detected in urine after exposure. Because DEHP is not chemically bound to PVC, its release can occur over the product’s life cycle, particularly under heat, friction, or stretching.

Exposure and health considerations vary by age and context. Common routes include ingestion of dust or contaminated food, inhalation, and dermal contact. Infants and young children may have higher exposure from mouthing flexible PVC products. Reproductive and developmental toxicity observed in animal studies has led to concern about potential human effects, and DEHP is often evaluated as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. Regulatory and guidance actions in several regions restrict its use in certain products and require disclosure or substitution where feasible.

Environmental aspects include DEHP's persistence in some environmental compartments and its potential to accumulate in biota, with monitoring for its metabolites in water and sediment. Alternatives such as DINCH, DEHT, and other plasticizers are increasingly used in new PVC formulations, though safety profiles of substitutes are also considered in regulation and industry practice.

In summary, DEHP is a widely used PVC plasticizer with recognized health and environmental considerations that continue to drive regulatory controls and market shifts toward alternative additives.