Dihexyl phthalate on your skin: a safety profile

What is dihexyl phthalate?

The IUPAC name is dihexyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate.

Also known as: dihexyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate, Di-n-hexyl phthalate, Di-n-hexylphthalate, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl ester.

IUPAC name

dihexyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate

CAS number

84-75-3

Molecular formula

C20H30O4

Molecular weight

334.4 g/mol

SMILES

CCCCCCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCCCCCC

PubChem CID

6786

Regulatory consensus

4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Dihexyl phthalate. The classifications differ — that's the data.

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 dihexyl phthalate

• Consumer Products — plasticized PVC, adhesives, coatings, sealants
• Personal Care — nail polish, fragrance (as fixative)
• Fragrance — perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
  Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Dihexyl phthalate:

• DINCH
  Trade-offs: Alternative plasticizer; compatibility with polymer matrix required; migration rate and toxicological profile of alternative should be assessed; mechanical properties (flexibility, tensile strength) may change.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Citrate esters
  Trade-offs: Alternative plasticizer; compatibility with polymer matrix required; migration rate and toxicological profile of alternative should be assessed; mechanical properties (flexibility, tensile strength) may change.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions