On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its risk evaluation for Diisononyl Phthalate (DINP), confirming its continued safety in the vast majority of its applications. This comprehensive assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) underscores DINP’s crucial role in various industries and reaffirms its suitability for widespread use, with only a small subset of applications requiring additional precautions.
DINP, an essential plasticizer used primarily in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, is a key component in building materials, automotive parts, paints, coatings, adhesives, and more. The EPA conducted an extensive evaluation of 47 different conditions of use, rigorously analyzing its impact on human health and the environment.
The findings are overwhelmingly positive: 43 out of the 47 conditions of use—representing a remarkable 97% of DINP’s market volume—were determined to pose no unreasonable risk. Industries such as automotive manufacturing, construction, and general non-spray applications of adhesives and coatings can continue to use DINP with confidence, as these uses align with global safety assessments affirming its reliability and effectiveness.
The EPA identified potential risks in only four specific industrial spray applications, where workers may be exposed to high concentrations of airborne DINP mist. While this warrants additional worker protections, these cases account for just 3% of total U.S. DINP production, meaning the vast majority of users and consumers remain unaffected. Importantly, industry groups like the American Chemistry Council (ACC) emphasize that the EPA’s conclusions are based on conservative assumptions, reinforcing that real-world risks may be even lower than estimated.
For consumers and the general public, the news is even more reassuring. The EPA found no risk associated with everyday exposure to DINP in typical consumer products or the environment. Household items such as flooring, textiles, automotive components, and insulation remain safe for use. This confirms that families, including children, can continue to use these products without concern.
Additionally, while some past studies have examined dietary exposure to DINP, such pathways fall outside the scope of the EPA’s TSCA evaluation. This means that the findings apply strictly to industrial and commercial uses, without extending to unrelated categories like food additives or cosmetics.
Looking ahead, the EPA has announced that it will introduce risk management measures tailored to the specific industrial spray applications identified. This proactive approach ensures that worker safety remains a priority without disrupting the broader industries that depend on DINP. Manufacturers in the affected sectors will have the opportunity to collaborate with regulators to implement practical safety measures, ensuring continued compliance and protection.
In summary, the EPA’s final risk evaluation reinforces DINP’s crucial role across multiple industries while affirming its safety for the vast majority of applications. With 97% of uses deemed risk-free, businesses and consumers can continue to rely on DINP for durable, flexible, and high-quality products. As regulatory steps move forward for select industrial applications, industry leaders remain committed to maintaining best practices that safeguard workers while preserving the many benefits of this essential plasticizer.
This evaluation highlights the EPA’s commitment to balanced and science-driven decision-making, ensuring that necessary precautions are taken while supporting innovation and industrial growth. For DINP, the message is clear: it remains a trusted and valuable material in modern manufacturing, with only limited and manageable considerations for workplace safety in specialized settings.