Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate*

Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate [bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, DEHA, octyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, DOA, CAS No. 103-23-1], a plasticizer added to vinyl plastics to give low temperature flexibility, is dispersed (not bound) in the polymer chain matrix. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in plastics that may contact nonfatty, nonalcoholic foods (not to exceed 24% by weight of the plastic polymer), DEHA has wide use in vinyl packaging ifim for refrigerated and frozen food products. Other products containing DEHA include electric wire insulation, garden hoses, vinyl coated fabrics for automotive and upholstery use, synthetic rubber, base oils for hydraulic fluids, and, among others, polyvinyl tubing for hemodialysis. For these uses 44 million pounds were produced in 1978. DEHA was selected as a representative of the adipate class of plasticizers, because it is structurally related to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, because human exposure is widespread, and because no carcinogenesis studies had been done. Testing was initiated by the Carcinogenesis Testing Program, National Cancer Institute (now part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Toxicology Program).