Dibutyl phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate	Last updated: 14/01/2026
(Also known as: DMP)

SUMMARY

Dibutyl phthalate is an obsolete insect repellent. Very little information is available regarding its environmental fate. It is moderately toxic to fish, algae and aquatic invertebrates. Dibutyl phthalate has a low mammalian oral toxicity but may impact on reproduction/fertility.

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health High alert: Endocrine disruptor; Reproduction/development effects	Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type I alert Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type II alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An obsolete unclassified insect repellent with additional industrial applications

Example pests controlled

Mosquitoes; Leeches; Gnats; General control of flies

Example applications

Livestock; Farm buildings

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Known to be also used in the following countries

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₆H₂₂O₄

Canonical SMILES

CCCCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCCCC

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

DOIRQSBPFJWKBE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C16H22O4/c1-3-5-11-19-15(17)13-9-7-8-10-14(13)16(18)20-12-6-4-2/h7-10H,3-6,11-12H2,1-2H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Insecticide; Repellent; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Plasticiser

Substance groups

Unclassified pesticide; Phthalate ester compound

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Repellent action, not toxic

Substance source

Found to be naturally produced as a secondary metabolite by certain microorganisms, such as the soil bacteria Streptomyces albidoflavus 321.2 and various filamentous fungi.

Uses

Animal health

Target pests

Mosquitoes; Leeches; Gnats; General control of flies

Target host

Livestock; Farm buildings

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

84-74-2

EC number

201-557-4

CIPAC number

None allocated

US EPA chemical code

028001

PubChem CID

3026

CLP index number

607-318-00-4

Molecular mass

278.34

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

dibutyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate

IUPAC name

dibutyl phthalate

CAS name

1,2-dibutyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

UK Environment Agency non-statutory standard for the protection of freshwater and saltwater aquatic life: 8 µg l⁻¹ as annual average; 40 µg l⁻¹ as max acceptable conc.

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Yes []

Type II

Yes [; ]

Other status information

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not known

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Liquid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries

Introduction & key dates

Circa 1930, first synthesised

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

BASF

Example products using this active

Celluflex DPB
Ergoplast FDB
Genoplast B
Kodaflex DBP
Hatcol DBP

Formulation and application details

Often formulated as ready-to-use sprays

Commercial production

Commercial production of dibutyl phthalate is a straightforward esterification process in which phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride reacts with n butanol in the presence of an acid catalyst. Industry descriptions note that the reaction is typically carried out under heated, water removing conditions to drive ester formation, after which the mixture is neutralised, washed, and vacuum distilled to obtain high purity of dibutyl phthalate.

Impact on climate of production and use

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

11.2

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

-35

Boiling point (°C)

340

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

157

(closed cup)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

3.16 X 10⁰⁴

Calculated

Log P

4.5

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

7499

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.6

Cyprinodon variegatus marine species

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

2.2

Danio rerio

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

17.0

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

0.75

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

7499

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

6000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

4.25

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 3.05 mL kg⁻¹

Rabbit

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

If inhaled may irritate & cause headache, dizziness, & nausea

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not compabible with strong oxidising agents, acids or alkalies
May explode in contact with chlorine / bleach

CLP classification 2013

Health: H360
Environment: H400

WHO Classification

Not classified: Obsolete (Not classified: Obsolete)

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

dibutyl phthalate

French

phtalate de dibutyle

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	14/01/2026
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242