PARC Projects

Provide protection against most harmful chemicals
Investigating mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) exposure
Monitoring methods
Human biomonitoring
Human health
Time span
-
Potential impacts
  • Data gaps on human MnHexP exposure in Europe should be filled. A better understanding of the exposure source as well as a better understanding of levels of human and environmental exposure. The data will be made available to EEA and ECHA in a timely manner.
  • Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP), the potential parent compound of MnHexP, is listed in REACH Annex XIV thus wide exposure should not be expected. Results of this project will help understand potential shortcomings of the chemical regulation and provide an explanation of the source of exposure to end-users and stakeholders.
  • The data will potentially be integrated in the CLH dossier for C4-C6 phthalates currently prepared by France and potentially in a restriction dossier by ECHA on PVC and its additives.
Partners involved
UBA (DE)
ANSES (FR)
CSTB (FR)
EEA (DK)
VITO (BE)
KEMI (SE)
ISCIII (ES)
AU (DK)
MU (CZ)
LNS (LU)
Contacts
Till Weber (UBA)
Till.Weber [at] uba.de
Magnus Lofstedt (EEA)
Magnus.Lofstedt [at] eea.europa.eu
Key messages
  • MnHexP exposure evaluation on European level;
  • Potential source UV-filter DHHB.
Overview

This project addresses an urgent need identified by the European Environment Agency (EEA ↗) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA ↗) in February 2024, which triggered the activation of PARC’s Rapid Response Mechanism. The concern arose from recent human biomonitoring (HBM) data showing elevated levels of mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) exposure in Germany and Denmark, highlighting a pressing demand for updated information on chemical exposures at both EU and national levels.

Although various parent compounds, such as mixed-chain phthalates, may contribute to this exposure, current evidence points to contamination of the UV filter diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate ↗ (DHHB) with di-n-hexyl phthalate ↗ (DnHexP) as the most likely source.

Using a tiered approach, the project will begin by collecting and assessing existing data on human exposure and potential sources. These findings may inform the Classification, Labelling and Packaging ↗ (CLP) dossier on C4–C6 phthalates currently being developed by France and potentially support a restriction dossier under REACH ↗ relating to PVC and its additives. The project will also evaluate samples from indoor environments to explore exposure pathways. In its final phase it aims to gather data from new human biomonitoring, environmental, and product measurements as part of PARC Aligned Studies to better understand the extent of MnHexP exposure across Europe.

The project contributes directly to PARC's objectives of supporting regulatory action, ensuring the public availability of data, and enhancing citizen awareness. It also addresses a previously under-explored phthalate metabolite in PARC's research agenda.

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Investigating mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) exposure

Time span
-
Potential impacts
  • Data gaps on human MnHexP exposure in Europe should be filled. A better understanding of the exposure source as well as a better understanding of levels of human and environmental exposure. The data will be made available to EEA and ECHA in a timely manner.
  • Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP), the potential parent compound of MnHexP, is listed in REACH Annex XIV thus wide exposure should not be expected. Results of this project will help understand potential shortcomings of the chemical regulation and provide an explanation of the source of exposure to end-users and stakeholders.
  • The data will potentially be integrated in the CLH dossier for C4-C6 phthalates currently prepared by France and potentially in a restriction dossier by ECHA on PVC and its additives.
UBA (DE)
ANSES (FR)
CSTB (FR)
EEA (DK)
VITO (BE)
KEMI (SE)
ISCIII (ES)
AU (DK)
MU (CZ)
LNS (LU)
Key messages
  • MnHexP exposure evaluation on European level;
  • Potential source UV-filter DHHB.
Overview

This project addresses an urgent need identified by the European Environment Agency (EEA ↗) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA ↗) in February 2024, which triggered the activation of PARC’s Rapid Response Mechanism. The concern arose from recent human biomonitoring (HBM) data showing elevated levels of mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) exposure in Germany and Denmark, highlighting a pressing demand for updated information on chemical exposures at both EU and national levels.

Although various parent compounds, such as mixed-chain phthalates, may contribute to this exposure, current evidence points to contamination of the UV filter diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate ↗ (DHHB) with di-n-hexyl phthalate ↗ (DnHexP) as the most likely source.

Using a tiered approach, the project will begin by collecting and assessing existing data on human exposure and potential sources. These findings may inform the Classification, Labelling and Packaging ↗ (CLP) dossier on C4–C6 phthalates currently being developed by France and potentially support a restriction dossier under REACH ↗ relating to PVC and its additives. The project will also evaluate samples from indoor environments to explore exposure pathways. In its final phase it aims to gather data from new human biomonitoring, environmental, and product measurements as part of PARC Aligned Studies to better understand the extent of MnHexP exposure across Europe.

The project contributes directly to PARC's objectives of supporting regulatory action, ensuring the public availability of data, and enhancing citizen awareness. It also addresses a previously under-explored phthalate metabolite in PARC's research agenda.

Contacts
Till Weber (UBA)
Till.Weber [at] uba.de
Magnus Lofstedt (EEA)
Magnus.Lofstedt [at] eea.europa.eu
Topics
Provide protection against most harmful chemicals
Keywords
Monitoring methods
Human biomonitoring
Human health

Related Projects

Beyond food: Organic contaminants in daily environments
Integrating occupational and general exposure assessment
Testing assessment tools for hazardous substances in consumer products and articles
New tools for enforcing chemical safety in everyday items
Human biomonitoring studies on the general population