Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group - information sheet

Phenol, dimethyl-, phosphate (3:1) (trixylyl phosphate)
CAS Registry Number 25155-23-1

9-Octadecen-1-ol, (Z)-, phosphate (oleyl phosphate)
CAS Registry Number 37310-83-1

Phosphorous trichloride, reaction products with 1,1-biphenyl and 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol
CAS Registry Number 119345-01-6

Overview

The Government of Canada conducted a science-based screening assessment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment from 3 of the substances in the Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group.
The risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people and the environment.
The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of these 3 substances were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach.
As a result of the screening assessment, the Government concluded that these 3 substances are not harmful to human health or to the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. One of the substances, trixylyl phosphate, is associated with human health effects of concern; however, the risk to Canadians is low at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.

The screening assessment summarized here focused on 3 of 6 substances referred to collectively as the Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group, under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). These substances are trixylyl phosphate, oleyl phosphate, and the substance with CAS RN 119345-01-6.
Three other substances in the Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group (CAS RNs 68604-99-9, 68952-35-2 and 111174-61-9) were determined to be of low concern to both human health and the environment through another approach. Conclusions for these substances are provided in the Final Screening Assessment for the Rapid Screening of Substances with Limited General Population Exposure.
These substances do not occur naturally in the environment.
According to information gathered by the Government, in Canada, trixylyl phosphate may be used as a flame retardant and in lubricants and greases. It may also be used in food packaging materials, in plasticizers, in hydraulic fluids and insulation for wires and cables.
Oleyl phosphate is used in cosmetics, such as permanent hair dye.
CAS RN 119345-01-6 is used in plastic and rubber materials and may also be used in food packaging materials.

Canadians may be exposed to trixylyl phosphate through the environment (for example, from its presence in house dust) and from certain products available to consumers, such as electronics and automotive fluids.
Exposure of Canadians to oleyl phosphate may occur from the use of certain cosmetics.
Canadians may be exposed to CAS RN 119345-01-6 mainly through their diet from its potential use in food packaging.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, trixylyl phosphate was identified as having a moderate ecological exposure potential due to its long overall persistence (ability to stay in the environment over time) and moderate quantities of use, while oleyl phosphate and CAS RN 119345-01-6 were identified as having low ecological exposure potential.

To inform the health effects characterization for trixylyl phosphate, international reports of data were reviewed.
Trixylyl phosphate has been classified by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) as a reproductive toxicant (may damage fertility) and is on the ECHA List of Substances of Very High Concern for reproductive toxicity. Effects on the reproductive organs and adrenal glands were considered to be the critical effects for the assessment of trixylyl phosphate.
No effects on human health have been identified for oleyl phosphate based on available information.
For CAS RN 119345-01-6, potential developmental effects in laboratory studies were the critical effects identified for the assessment.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, trixylyl phosphate was identified as having a moderate ecological hazard potential, while oleyl phosphate was identified as having a high ecological hazard potential. This was based on their potential to cause adverse effects in aquatic food webs given their respective moderate and high potentials to bioaccumulate. CAS RN 119345-01-6 was identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

The risk to human health from trixylyl phosphate and CAS RN 119345‑01‑6 was determined to be low, based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to these substances, and the levels associated with health effects.
The risk to human health from oleyl phosphate was also determined to be low, based upon the information presented in the screening assessment.
Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, these 3 substances are considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.
The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for the Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group on December 19, 2020.

The Government concluded that trixylyl phosphate, oleyl phosphate, and CAS RN 119345-01-6 are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, and that these 3 substances are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

Although trixylyl phosphate is not considered to be harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, it is considered to have health effects of concern based upon its potential to cause effects on the reproductive system. There may be a potential risk if exposures were to increase.
Therefore, the Government published a notice of intent to apply Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA 1999 to trixylyl phosphate. This publication has a 60-day public comment period ending on February 17, 2021.
The SNAc provisions would require that the Government be notified of certain proposed new activities related to trixylyl phosphate, and that the new activity be assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment before being undertaken.
The notice outlines the proposed definition of a significant new activity in relation to trixylyl phosphate, as well as the information that would need to be provided to the Government for assessment before the new activity is undertaken.

These substances 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 for the Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Group focused on potential risks of exposure to 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.

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