2. Relevance to Public Health 2.1 Background and Environmental Exposures to Di(2-ethylhexyl)- Phthalate in the United States

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, commonly referred to as DEHP, is predominantly used as a plasticizer in the production of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. At least 95% of DEHP produced is used as a plasticizer for PVC. PVC is made flexible by addition of plasticizers and is used in many common items such as wall coverings, tablecloths, floor tiles, furniture upholstery, shower curtains, garden hoses, swimming pool liners, rainwear, baby pants, dolls, toys, shoes, automobile upholstery and tops, packaging film and sheet, sheathing for wire and cable, medical tubing, and blood storage bags. Numerous nonplasticizer uses of DEHP have been reported; however, it is not clear to what extent these uses are, or have ever been, important. Because of concerns regarding potential health effects from DEHP exposure, many toy manufacturers have discontinued use of DEHP in their products. The use of DEHP in domestically produced baby teethers and rattles has been discontinued, and DEHP is also no longer used as a plasticizer in plastic food wrap products.