ACC’s High Phthalates Panel Statement on EPA’s Draft Risk Evaluation for DINP

WASHINGTON (September 6, 2024) - Today, the American Chemistry Council's High Phthalates Panel issued the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) completion of a draft manufacturer-requested risk evaluation for DINP:

"We recognize the effort by EPA to generate a comprehensive risk evaluation for DINP and appreciate the opportunity to evaluate the application of best-available science in the draft risk evaluation. We're still reviewing the draft documents in detail.

"In the draft assessment, EPA preliminarily determined that DINP does not pose unreasonable risk of injury to human health for the general population or to the environment.

"EPA preliminarily concluded that 44 of the 47 conditions of use (COUs) for DINP are safe. The two industrial uses EPA identified as posing unreasonable risk involve unprotected workers using high pressure sprayers for the applications of adhesives and sealants or paints and coatings. EPA's concern is for the creation of high concentrations of DINP in mist that a worker not wearing personal protective equipment could inhale. While this use had been previously reported, EPA did not identify any products containing either DINP or DIDP in these applications.

"In addition, ACC's High Phthalates Panel does not support this use scenario for DINP, now, or in the future, and the Panel provided information to EPA on why this scenario does not apply to DINP or DIDP during the public comment period for DIDP.

"EPA has not yet incorporated recommendations from the EPA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) or public comments into this draft risk evaluation.

"For example, during the public peer review meeting the SACC recommended EPA update their cancer determination for DINP to state simply 'DINP is Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans.'

"EPA identified one consumer use as 'preliminarily contributing to unreasonable risk to infants, toddlers, and preschool children under the age of 5 who may be exposed to dust containing DINP that migrated from floor coverings and building and construction materials, such as vinyl flooring, in-place wallpaper, and carpet backing.' As EPA highlighted in its draft evaluation, they used screening-level approaches in the draft determinations, which start with conservative methods (e.g. high-end exposure estimates), and require refinement when risk is identified. We will continue to provide science-based inputs to demonstrate that there is no consumer risk, to help EPA refine its assessment.

"We look forward to continuing engagement with EPA to further clarify any uncertainties and demonstrate the safety of DINP in all current uses.

"We have full confidence that DIDP and DINP used in commercial applications do not pose a risk to human health or the environment, and this is why manufacturers through ACC's High Phthalates Panel requested risk evaluations in 2019. This assessment of safety is important to businesses and consumers of these important products."

On Background

EPA initiated a risk evaluation for DIDP on January 2, 2020, after it received a request from ExxonMobil Chemical Company through ACC's High Phthalates Panel.

EPA initiated a risk evaluation for DINP on January 2, 2020, after it received a request from Evonik Corporation, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, and Teknor Apex through ACC's High Phthalates Panel.

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