DMEP - information sheet

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-methoxyethyl) ester
CAS Registry Number 117-82-8

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The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people and the environment.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
As a result of the screening assessment, the Government concluded that DMEP is not harmful to human health or the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.

The screening assessment concluded on 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-methoxyethyl) ester, also referred to as DMEP. This substance was assessed as part of Batch 6 of the Challenge initiative of the CMP.
DMEP is a member of a family of chemicals called phthalates.
According to information gathered by the Government at the time of the assessment, DMEP was not in commerce in sufficient quantities to be reported. This substance was historically used in Canada as a plasticizer and as an additive in paints and coatings.

According to the screening assessment, exposure of Canadians to DMEP was expected to be low and to occur from indoor dust.
The historical uses of DMEP as a plasticizer and as a solvent suggest that DMEP may be released to the environment through various waste streams.
Based on the current low use of DMEP in Canada, the ecological exposure to the substance is expected to be very low.

The critical effects identified for characterizing the risk to human health were reproductive and developmental effects.
DMEP was identified as having a low ecological hazard potential, as the substance is not highly hazardous to aquatic organisms and terrestrial plants.

Based upon information presented in the screening assessment, the risk to human health was considered to be low.
Considering all information presented, it was determined that there was low risk of harm to the environment from DMEP.

The Government concluded that DMEP is not harmful to human health and that this substance is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

Although DMEP was not considered to be harmful to human health at the time of the assessment, this substance was considered to have health effects of concern. There may be a concern if exposures were to increase or use patterns were to change.
DMEP is subject to the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA 1999. This requires that the Government be notified of certain proposed new activities related to these substances, and that the new activity be assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment before being undertaken.
The order outlines the definition of a significant new activity in relation to DMEP, as well as the information that needs to be provided to the Government for assessment before the new activity is undertaken.

Updates on actions for DMEP can be found on the timeline for substances in Batch 6 of the Challenge initiative.
Information on SNAc provisions applied to substances, where applicable, is found in the SNAc publications dataset.
Additional information on the risk management of substances addressed under the CMP is available.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.

DMEP may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
The screening assessment focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.

2022-02-07