Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

1.      Process

Use of the following phthalates in a laboratory environment:

q       DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE OR BIS-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 117-81-7

·          Synonyms

q       DIMETHYLPHTHALATE

·          CAS # 113-11-31

·          Synonyms

q       BUTYL BENZYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 85-68-7

·          Synonyms

q       DIISODECYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS #26761-40-0

·          No synonyms.

q       DI-ISONONYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 28553-12-0

·          Synonyms

q       DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 84-74-2

·          Synonyms

q       DI-N-HEXYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 84-75-3

·          Synonyms

o         Phthalic acid di-n-hexyl ester

q       DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE

·          CAS # 117-84-0

·          Synonyms

2.      Physical Hazards

q       DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE / Bis-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE 

·          Colorless, oily liquid with a slight odor.

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong oxidizing agents, nitrates; strong oxidizers, acids and alkalis.

q       DIMETHYLPHTHALATE

·          Colorless, oily liquid with a slight, aromatic odor. (Note: A solid below 42°F.)

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: Nitrates; strong oxidizers, alkalis and acids.

q       BUTYL BENZYL PHTHALATE

·          Colorless liquid.

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.

q       DI-ISODECYL PHTHALATE

·          Solid.

·          Incompatibilities and reactivities: strong oxidizing agents.

q       DI-ISONONYL PHTHALATE

·          Liquid.

·          Incompatibilities and reactivities: strong oxidizing agents.

q       DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE

·          Colorless to faint-yellow, oily liquid with a slight, aromatic odor.

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong oxidizing agents, Nitrates, bases, acids, chlorine, strong oxidizers and liquid chlorine.

q       DI-N-HEXYL PHTHALATE

·          Colorless, oily liquid with aromatic odor.

·          Incompatibilities and reactivities: Acids and oxidizing agents.

q       DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE

·          Clear Colorless liquid, odorless.

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing agents and nitrates.

3.      Health Hazards

q       DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE/ DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE

·          Harmful.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Exposure can cause: lung irritation, may cause skin irritation.

·          May be harmful if absorbed through skin.

·          May cause eye irritation.

·          May be irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.

·          May be harmful if inhaled.

·          May be harmful if swallowed.

·          Symptoms of overexposure

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Mucous membrane.

·          Teratogenic effects.

·          Overexposure may cause reproductive disorder(s) based on tests with laboratory animals.

·          Causes liver tumor in animals.

·          Target Organs Eyes, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidney, reproductive system and gastrointestinal tract.

q       DIMETHYLPHTHALATE

·          Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Upper respiratory system.

o         Stomach pain.

·          Target Organs: Eyes, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract.

q       BUTYL BENZYL PHTHALATE

·          Harmful.

·          Possible carcinogen.

·          Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.

·          Causes skin irritation.

·          May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.

·          Causes eye irritation.

·          Irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.

·          May be harmful if inhaled.

·          May be harmful if swallowed.

·          Effects on fertility (post-implantation mortality)

·          Effects on embryo or fetus (fetotoxicity)

·          Target organ(s): liver and pancreas

q       DIISODECYL PHTHALATE

·          May be harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

·          May cause eye irritation.

·          May cause skin irritation.

·          May be irritating to mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract.

q       DI-ISONONYL PHTHALATE

·          Caution.

·          May be harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

·          May cause irritation.

q       DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE

·          Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Upper respiratory system.

o         Stomach

·          Target Organs: Eyes, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

q       DI-N-HEXYL PHTHALATE

·          Irritant to upper respiratory system.

·          Stomach Pain.

·          Target Organs: Respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

q       DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE

·          Irritates respiratory tract.

·          Harmful if swallowed.

·          Irritates nose and throat.

·          Gastrointestinal disturbances.

·          Depresses central nervous system.

·          Possible Carcinogen.

4.      Personal Protective Equipment

q       Safety glasses, goggles or face shields shall be worn during operations in which phtahlates might contact the eyes (e.g., through vapors or splashes of solution.  Eye Protection in the form of safety glasses shall be worn at all times when handling phtahlates.  Ordinary (street) prescription glasses do not provide adequate protection.  Adequate safety glasses must meet the requirements of the Practice for Occupational Education Eye and Face Protection (ANSI Z87.1-1989) and must be equipment with side shields.  Fisherbrand® Chemical Splash Goggles, catalog # 19-041-739 are recommended.

·          Contact lenses should not be worn if the potential exists for phtahlates exposure.

q       Safety Shower/Eyewash - Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to phtahlates, suitable facilities for quick drench or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  Bottle type eyewash stations are not acceptable.

·          Eyewash fountains and emergency showers should be available within the immediate work area whenever the potential exist for eye or skin contact with phtahlates.

q       Lab coats, closed toed shoes and long sleeved clothing shall be worn when handling phtahlates. Protective clothing shall be worn to prevent any possibility of skin contact with phtahlates.

q       Glove Selection