Diéthylhexyl Phthalate

7. Are further research and additional risk reduction measures needed?

Environment

There is still a need for further information and/or testing, especially for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, however, it is stated that current risk reduction measures are sufficient, if applied properly. For animals feeding on the aquatic or terrestrial food chains there are concerns and there is a need for risk reduction measures, taking into account any that are already in place.

Further information or testing to refine the risk assessment for aquatic organisms living in sediment or terrestrial organisms living in soil may remove some of the concern but such data may be unnecessary if appropriate risk reduction measures are taken for these food chains.

Workers

For workers, repeatedly exposed to DEHP by inhalation or skin contact, there is concern that the testis, fertility, and kidney may be affected. Similarly, there might be adverse effects on the embryo or foetus during pregnancy even with shorter exposure times. For workers, there is a need for risk reduction measures due to concerns about effects on the testes, fertility and kidneys from repeated exposure via inhalation or the skin, and effects on the embryo and fetus when exposure occurs during pregnancy.

It is possible that in some industrial premises the worker protection measures that are already in place are adequate.

Consumers

For consumers, there is a need for risk reduction measures due to concerns about effects on the testis, fertility, and kidney for children exposed orally via toys, child-care articles and other multiple routes of exposure. Risk reduction measures which are already being applied shall be taken into account.

Similarly, risk reduction measures are needed due to concerns about effects on the testis and fertility for children undergoing long-term blood transfusion or neonates undergoing transfusion who are exposed to DEHP via medical equipment. . There are also concerns for adults undergoing long-term haemodialysis for effects on the testis, fertility, kidney, and on the embryo and fetus during pregnancy. Risk reduction measures which are already being applied shall be taken into account.

People exposed via the environment

There is a need for risk reduction measures due to concerns for effects on the testis, fertility, and kidney in children exposed via food grown near sites that use DEHP or that process products that contain DEHP, and due to concerns about effects on the testis in children exposed via food grown near sewage treatment plants or paper recycling plants. Risk reduction measures which are already being applied shall be taken into account. More...