Use
In pharmaceutical applications, dimethyl phthalate is used in film coating and as a topically applied insect repellent.Acute exposure to the eyes and mucous membranes can cause irritation, although dimethyl phthalate is considered less irritant than diethyl phthalate. Inhalation of dimethyl phthalate can cause irritation of the respiratory tract; oral ingestion can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. Owing to the low water solubility and relatively high lipid solubility, dimethyl phthalate may accumulate in body tissues after chronic exposure, which may cause central nervous system depression.
Although some animal studies have suggested that high concentrations of dimethyl phthalate may be teratogenic or cause mutagenic effects with bacteria,(5,6) other studies have shown no adverse effects.(7) There are no confirmed reports of human reproductive or developmental effects, and the compound is not generally regarded as a carcinogenic material.
LD50 (chicken, oral): 8.5g/kg
LD50 (guinea pig, oral): 2.4g/kg
LD50 (mouse, IP): 1.38g/kg
LD50 (mouse, oral): 6.8g/kg
LD50 (rabbit, oral): 4.40g/kg
LD50 (rat, IP): 3.38g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 6.80g/kg