Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) - information sheet

4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-
CAS Registry Number 77-73-6

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people and the environment.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of DCPD were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach
DCPD is associated with health effects; however, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, the Government concluded that this substance is not harmful to human health or to the environment.

The screening assessment focused on the substance 4,7-methano-1H-indene, 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-, also referred to as dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). It was assessed under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
DCPD does not occur naturally in the environment. According to information gathered by the Government, DCPD is primarily used in industrial applications, such as the manufacture of petroleum feedstock and paints and coatings. It is also used in the manufacture of building or construction materials.
In Canada, DCPD may be found in products available to consumers, including automotive engine oil enhancers and gasoline.

The main sources of DCPD exposure to Canadians are from the use of products available to consumers, such as automotive engine oil enhancers, refueling with gasoline, and from evaporative emissions in the vicinity of gasoline service stations and bulk storage facilities.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, DCPD was identified as having a low ecological exposure potential.

To help inform the health effects characterization in the screening assessment, international reports of data on DCPD were considered, among other sources of information. This included assessments by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Cooperative Chemicals Assessment Programme, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Center for Environmental Assessment.
For DCPD, the critical effects identified for characterizing the risk to human health were potential effects on the kidneys and adrenal glands.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, DCPD was identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

There are groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more likely to experience adverse health effects from exposure to substances.
Certain subpopulations are routinely considered throughout the screening assessment process, such as infants, children, and people of reproductive age. For example, age-specific exposures are routinely estimated and developmental and reproductive toxicity studies are evaluated for potential adverse health effects. These subpopulations with potential for higher exposure and those who may be more susceptible were taken into account in the risk assessment outcomes for DCPD.
Also, people living near gasoline service stations or bulk storage facilities who may have higher exposures from evaporative emissions in the air were considered in the screening assessment of DCPD.

Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to DCPD, and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health from this substance is considered to be low.
Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, DCPD is considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.

The Government concluded that DCPD is not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, and is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

DCPD may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
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The screening assessment focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.