DEP belongs to the dialkyl phosphate family of metabolites and is a non‑specific urinary product of many organophosphate insecticides. Chemically it reflects cleavage of pesticide esters during environmental degradation or human metabolism rather than a naturally produced human compound. Historically, DEP and related dialkyl phosphates have been used in occupational and population studies to estimate recent organophosphate exposure. Biologically, DEP arises from hydrolysis and enzymatic metabolism of parent compounds and is cleared in urine; its presence is therefore an index of exposure and short‑term body burden rather than a functional physiologic molecule.

Higher urinary DEP levels are associated with more recent or greater exposure to organophosphate pesticides or to environmental preformed metabolites; such elevations can reflect sources like diet, residential use, agricultural environments, or occupational contact. Interpretation can be influenced by timing of sample collection, external contamination, and the presence of related metabolites, so elevated DEP alone does not identify a specific pesticide. Low or undetectable DEP generally indicates little or no recent exposure detectable in urine at the time of sampling, but does not rule out past exposures or exposures to pesticides that do not produce DEP. DEP results are most informative when considered alongside other toxicant markers, exposure history, and detoxification genetics measured on the full panel.

DEP is included in the Toxin Zoomer to quantify recent organophosphate exposure as part of the environmental chemicals domain. Measured alongside other pesticide metabolites and detoxification genotypes, DEP helps clarify exposure patterns and how an individual’s metabolic capacity may influence clearance and potential risk signals.