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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

Toxicokinetic studies on a similar trimellitate ester (TOTM) indicate that the substance is expected to be poorly absorbed through the gastro-intestinal tract following oral administration. If absorbed it is expected to be eliminated relatively rapidly, mainly via the urine as polar metabolites. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:
low bioaccumulation potential

Additional information

No data are available on the substance itself, a trimellitate ester derived from predominately linear alcohols of C9 chain length. The most comprehensive data are on tri(2 -ethylhexyl)trimellitate (TOTM), this being an ester from a branched alcohol of C8 chain length. Hydrolysis by esterases is regarded as an important first step in the oral absorption of ortho-phthalates. The potential for such hydrolysis to occur with trimellitates has been examined in an in-vitro study using a rat gut homogenate. There was no evidence of hydrolysis of TOTM occurring while the corresponding phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), was significantly hydrolysed.

The absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of TOTM have been investigated in the rat following oral administration of a single dose. Recovery of the administered dose was 94% with approximately 75% eliminated unchanged in the faeces, 16.3% found in the urine and 1.9% in expired air. Residual radioactivity in the carcass after 6 days was <0.6% of the administered dose. Findings indicate that TOTM may be partially hydrolysed in the gastro-intestinal tract to 2-ethylhexanol and the corresponding di-ester and, following further hydrolysis, the mono-ester. Only 2-ethylhexanol and a single isomer of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate appear to be absorbed. Following absorption, 2-ethylhexanol was extensively metabolised with metabolites eliminated in the urine and as expired14CO2.There was no evident metabolism of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate, this being eliminated unchanged. Urinary excretion of radioactivity was bi-phasic with half-lives of 3.1 and 42 hours.

In summary, available toxicokinetic studies show that TOTM is poorly absorbed through the gastro-intestinal tract following oral administration. If absorbed it is eliminated relatively rapidly, mainly via the urine as polar metabolites.