Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) in food: ingestion safety
Moderate risk(People-specific data is limited; this page draws from human adult context.) DPHP presents a low to moderate risk to human adults. Not classified as carcinogen by IARC or EPA. The primary concern is reproductive/developmental toxicity (EU Repr. 2 classification; H361d) at high exposures — Leydig cell effects in rodents and anti-androgenic metabolite activity — though human relevance of the PPARα-mediated rat Leydig cell tumor mechanism is debated. Occupational exposures during PVC processing (aerosol/vapor from heated PVC containing DPHP) are the highest-exposure scenario. Consumer exposures via dermal contact with DPHP-plasticized PVC products (flooring, upholstery, cables) are lower but ongoing. DPHP is restricted from toys and childcare articles at >0.1% (EU). As a phthalate class member, the anti-androgenic cumulative risk framework (aggregate phthalate exposure assessment) applies — individual DPHP exposure should be considered alongside other phthalate exposures.
What is di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (dphp)?
The IUPAC name is bis(2-propylheptyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate.
Also known as: bis(2-propylheptyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate, bis(2-propylheptyl)phthalate, di(2-propylheptyl)phthalate, RefChem:411099.
- IUPAC name
- bis(2-propylheptyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate
- CAS number
- 53306-54-0
- Molecular formula
- C28H46O4
- Molecular weight
- 446.7 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCCC(CCC)COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCC(CCC)CCCCC
- PubChem CID
- 92344
Risk for people
Moderate riskDPHP presents a low to moderate risk to human adults. Not classified as carcinogen by IARC or EPA. The primary concern is reproductive/developmental toxicity (EU Repr. 2 classification; H361d) at high exposures — Leydig cell effects in rodents and anti-androgenic metabolite activity — though human relevance of the PPARα-mediated rat Leydig cell tumor mechanism is debated. Occupational exposures during PVC processing (aerosol/vapor from heated PVC containing DPHP) are the highest-exposure scenario. Consumer exposures via dermal contact with DPHP-plasticized PVC products (flooring, upholstery, cables) are lower but ongoing. DPHP is restricted from toys and childcare articles at >0.1% (EU). As a phthalate class member, the anti-androgenic cumulative risk framework (aggregate phthalate exposure assessment) applies — individual DPHP exposure should be considered alongside other phthalate exposures.
Regulatory consensus
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2017 | Not evaluated by IARC — DPHP is a high-molecular-weight phthalate plasticizer under ECHA REACH evaluation for reproductive and endocrine disrupting properties; ECHA Annex XV restriction report (2017) proposed restriction in toys and childcare articles; identified as potential endocrine disruptor under EU Regulation 2017/2100 criteria | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 4 negative reports) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where you encounter di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (dphp)
- Consumer Products — Plastic bottles and containers, Food packaging, Plastic toys and household items
- Drinking Water — Leaching from plastic pipes, Migration from bottled water containers
- Indoor Environments — Off-gassing from plastic furniture, Degradation of plastic products
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP):
-
Process redesign to avoid hazardous intermediates
Trade-offs: May require significant R&D investment. Not always feasible.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (dphp)?
Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) appears in: Plastic bottles and containers (Consumer products); Food packaging (Consumer products); Leaching from plastic pipes (Drinking water); Migration from bottled water containers (Drinking water); Off-gassing from plastic furniture (Indoor environments).
Why do regulators disagree about di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (dphp)?
Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) in the food app
Look up products containing di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (dphp), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in food View raw API dataSources (1)
- ECHA REACH CoRAP Evaluation DPHP Di(2-Propylheptyl) Phthalate; Annex XV Restriction Report Toys Childcare 0.1% 2017; Repr 2 H361d Suspected Reproductive Toxicant; PPARalpha Leydig Cell Adenoma Rat; Anti-Androgenic Metabolite MPHP; Phthalate Syndrome Fetal Testosterone Masculinization; SVHC Assessment; PVC Cable Flooring Plasticizer DEHP Alternative (2017) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →