The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released its latest assessment on a group of substances known as esters from dicarboxylic acids and ethoxylated alcohols. This comprehensive review highlights the potential environmental hazards, industrial applications, and future regulatory actions needed to manage these chemicals effectively.
Key Substances Under Review
The substances within this group include:
- Bis(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl) adipate (CAS 141-17-3)
- Bis(2-butoxyethyl) adipate (CAS 141-18-4)
- Bis[2-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl] hydrogen glutarate (CAS 65520-42-5)
- Bis[2-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl] adipate (CAS 65520-46-9)
- Bis[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl] cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (CAS 922165-31-9)
- Bis[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl] succinate (CAS 701920-77-6)
- Hexanedioic acid, mixed benzyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl diesters (CAS 1175612-76-6)
- Reaction mass of bis[2-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl] adipate and 2-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl (3,6,9,12-tetraoxahexadecyl)adipate
The focus of the assessment includes identifying potential hazards to human health and the environment, with particular attention on industrial and consumer exposure.
Findings and Proposed Actions
The assessment concluded that while some of these substances, particularly Bis(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl) adipate and Bis(2-butoxyethyl) adipate, pose potential aquatic toxicity risks, they are unlikely to present significant hazards in terms of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or endocrine disruption. However, for the substances with known environmental hazards, including Bis(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl) adipate, compliance checks are recommended to ensure adequate risk management measures are in place to protect the environment.
ECHA's grouping of these substances is intended to facilitate faster regulatory action, with the goal of avoiding the substitution of one hazardous substance for another without addressing underlying safety concerns. This proactive approach is especially important for substances used in widespread applications such as lubricants, greases, polymer preparations, personal care products, and biocides.
Industrial and Consumer Use
Several substances in this group are used in a variety of industrial applications. For example, Bis(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl) adipate is employed in polymer preparations, lubricants, personal care products, and even biocidal products. These uses indicate the potential for worker, consumer, and environmental exposure.
ECHA emphasised that, despite the preliminary findings of low risk to human health, the substances require proper handling and risk management measures to mitigate environmental risks. Specific regulatory actions, such as harmonised classification, are not proposed at this stage, but companies are urged to monitor their use of these substances closely.
Conclusion
The current assessment by ECHA reflects the complexity of regulating chemicals with widespread industrial and consumer applications. While no immediate regulatory risk management action at the EU level is necessary, ongoing compliance checks and careful monitoring are essential. The chemical industry and relevant stakeholders must remain vigilant, implementing risk management measures to ensure the safe use of these substances.
