Dimethylphthalate

CAS number: 131–11–3

NIOSH REL: 5 mg/m³ TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 5 mg/m³ TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 5 mg/m³ TWA

Description of Substance: Colorless, oily liquid with a slight, aromatic odor.

LEL(@358 F): 0.9% (10% LEL(@358 F), 11,300 mg/m³)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 9,300 mg/m³

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Spector [1956] that 9,300 mg/m³ was a lethal concentration for the cat [Eller 1937].

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal concentration data:

Species	Reference	LC50	LCLo	Time	Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF)	Derived value
Cat	Eller, 1937	-----	9,630 mg/m3	6 hr	22,149 mg/m3 (2.3)	2,215 mg/m3

Lethal dose data:

Species	Reference	Route	LD50 (mg/kg)	LDLo (mg/kg)	Adjusted LD	Derived value
Rat Rabbit G. pig Rat Mouse Rabbit G. pig	Lehman 1955 Lehman 1955 Lehman 1955 Timofeevskaia et al. 1963 Timofeevskaia et al. 1963 Woodard and Hagan 1948 Woodard and Hagan 1948	oral oral oral oral oral oral oral	6,900 1,000 2,400 6,800 6,800 4,400 2,400	----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----	48,300 mg/m3 7,000 mg/m3 16,800 mg/m3 47,600 mg/m3 47,600 mg/m3 30,800 mg/m3 16,800 mg/m3	4,830 mg/m3 700 mg/m3 1,680 mg/m3 4,760 mg/m3 4,760 mg/m3 3,080 mg/m3 1,680 mg/m3

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 2,000 mg/m3 Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for dimethylphthalate is 2,000 mg/m3 based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Eller 1937]. [Note: Due to its low volatility, this concentration could only be reached at elevated temperatures or if the liquid droplets become airborne as in a mist.]

REFERENCES:

1. Eller [1937]. Doctoral dissertation. Wurzburg, Germany: Julius Maximillian University (in German). [From Spector WS, ed. [1956]. Handbook of toxicology. Vol. I. Acute toxicities. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, pp. 334-335.]

2. Lehman AJ [1955]. Insect repellents. Q Bulletin Assoc Food Drug Off U.S. 19:87-90.

3. Spector WS, ed. [1956]. Handbook of toxicology. Vol. I. Acute toxicities. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, pp. 334-335.

4. Timofeevskaia LA, Ivanova NI, Balinina ES [1963]. Toxicology of o-phthalic acid esters and hygienic reglamentation. Gig Tr Prof Zabol 24(3):25-27 (in Russian).

5. Woodard G, Hagan EC [1948]. Toxicological investigations of compounds proposed for use as insect repellents. B. Acute oral toxicity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 93:26-39.