National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Diethylphthalate
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Diethylphthalate is an industrial solvent used in many consumer products, particularly those containing fragrances; it may be present in perfume, cologne, deodorant, soap, shampoo, hand lotion, and other personal care products. [read more]
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 9 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 52 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 854,317 |
- |
- |
Health Concerns for Diethylphthalate:
- Developmental/reproductive toxicity
- Endocrine disruption
- Allergies/immunotoxicity
- Occupational hazards
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
- Cancer
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Ecotoxicology
- Persistence and bioaccumulation
Diethylphthalate Exposure by State
Water utilities in 9 states have reported detecting Diethylphthalate in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Diethylphthalate contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| Delaware | 33 | 472,883 |
| California | 2 | 222,607 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 111,927 |
| Maine | 5 | 26,476 |
| Texas | 1 | 6,060 |
| Nevada | 2 | 5,852 |
| New Hampshire | 4 | 5,167 |
| Washington | 1 | 2,910 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 435 |
| Total | 52 | 854,317 |
The Most Polluted Communities
52 water utilities reported detecting Diethylphthalate in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Diethylphthalate level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gander Woods Dover, DE | 42 | 1 of 5 | 11.48 ppb (0 to 57.4 ppb) |
| 2 | Willow Lake Dover, DE | 174 | 1 of 6 | 10.08 ppb (0 to 60.5 ppb) |
| 3 | Meadows District Dover, DE | 10,143 | 1 of 9 | 6.08 ppb (0 to 54.73 ppb) |
| 4 | Villas of Grandview Wilmington, DE | 107 | 1 of 4 | 6.03 ppb (0 to 24.1 ppb) |
| 5 | Indian Hills Gid Carson City, NV | 5,800 | 1 of 1 | 5.64 ppb (5.64 ppb) |
| 6 | Bethany Bay Ocean View Dover, DE | 27,106 | 1 of 7 | 4.74 ppb (0 to 33.2 ppb) |
| 7 | Point Farm Dover, DE | 213 | 1 of 5 | 4.3 ppb (0 to 21.5 ppb) |
| 8 | Market Basket Demoulas 25 NH | 395 | 1 of 1 | 3.6 ppb (3.6 ppb) |
| 9 | Hooksett Village Water Prct Hooksett, NH | 2,250 | 1 of 1 | 2.8 ppb (2.8 ppb) |
| 10 | Wilmington Water Department Wilmington, DE | 140,000 | 1 of 8 | 2.73 ppb (0 to 21.84 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Diethylphthalate
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria | Water quality criteria set by the US EPA provide guidance for states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect human health. These are non-enforceable standards based upon exposure by both drinking water and the contribution of water contamination to other consumed foods. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 1700 ppb |
| Health-Based Screening Level | A benchmark concentration of contaminants in water that may be of potential concern for human health, if exceeded. For noncarcinogens, the HBSL represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse effects over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, the HBSL range represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that corresponds to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 chance in 1 million to 1 chance in 10 thousand. Source: U.S. Geological Survey. | 6000 ppb |
| Drinking Water Equivalent Level | A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 30000 ppb |
Testing Summary for Diethylphthalate
| Are tests routinely required for Diethylphthalate by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Diethylphthalate (2004-2009): | 2,578 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.4 per year |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive system effects at high doses | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1993 |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1972 |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1972 |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1987 |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Oyo Yakuri 1987 |
Endocrine disruption
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Limited evidence of disruption | Swan SH, 2008 |
| Associated with endocrine disruption | Parveen M, Inoue A, Ise R, Tanji M, Kiyama R, 2008 |
| Associated with endocrine disruption | Hong EJ, Ji YK, Choi KC, Manabe N, Jeung EB, 2005 |
| Associated with endocrine disruption | Harris CA, Henttu P, Parker MG, Sumpter JP, 1997 |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Limited evidence of immune system toxicity or allergies | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
| One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 |
| One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 |
| One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 |
| One or more animal studies show blood effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 1982 |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1944 |
| reproductive - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Classified as a low human health priority | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Cancer
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1985 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003 |
Ecotoxicology
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •Determined safe for use in cosmetics based on concentrations of surrogate, related chemical in cosmetics, by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) • |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | •Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | 1,2-BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, DIETHYL ESTER | •This chemical was deemed a low human health priority and was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | •Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin or lungs: Yes; •Reproductive Toxin - A chemical that is toxic to the reproductive system, including defects in the progeny and injury to male and female reproductive function: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 5 mg/m3; •Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 1: must be preheated; |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | •Pesticide inerts: potentially toxic, testing priority, according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | DIETHYL ESTER1,2BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| Parveen M, Inoue A, Ise R, Tanji M, Kiyama R, 2008 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | Diethyl phthalate (DEP) affected the expression of estrogen responsive genes in a manner similar to natural estrogen. |
| Hong EJ, Ji YK, Choi KC, Manabe N, Jeung EB, 2005 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | Diethyl phthalate (DEP) demonstrated estrogenic activity by increasing the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. |
| Harris CA, Henttu P, Parker MG, Sumpter JP, 1997 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | Diethyl phthalate was weakly estrogenic when tested by in vitro assay of human estrogen receptor using a recombinant yeast screen. |
| Swan SH, 2008 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | In human epidemiological studies, diethyl phthalate has been associated with decreased anogenital distance (marker of reproductive system development) in baby boys, changes in the levels of reproductive hormones, and sperm DNA damage. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • metabolic - Weight loss or decreased weight gain (rat TDLo) • liver - Changes in liver weight (rat TDLo) • reproductive system - Changes in testicular weight (rat TDLo) • gastrointestinal - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1972 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • developmental - Musculoskeletal system (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Post-implantation mortality (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1944 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1944 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1985 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1985 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Oyo Yakuri 1987 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • reproductive - Fetotoxicity (mouse TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1993 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • reproductive - Musculoskeletal system (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1987 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • reproductive - Live birth index (mouse TDLo) • reproductive - Physical (mouse TDLo) • reproductive - Prostate, seminal vesicle, Cowper's gland, accessory glands (mouse TDLo) • reproductive - Spermatogenesis (mouse TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 1982 | DIETHYL PHTHALATE | • blood - Changes in serum composition (eg., TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| Open scientific literature | Parveen M, Inoue A, Ise R, Tanji M, Kiyama R. 2008. Evaluation of estrogenic activity of phthalate esters by gene expression profiling using a focused microarray (EstrArray). Environ Toxicol Chem. 27(6): 1416-25. |
| Open scientific literature | Hong EJ, Ji YK, Choi KC, Manabe N, Jeung EB. 2005. Conflict of estrogenic activity by various phthalates between in vitro and in vivo models related to the expression of Calbindin-D9k. J Reprod Dev. 51(2): 253-63. |
| Open scientific literature | Harris CA, Henttu P, Parker MG, Sumpter JP. 1997. The Estrogenic Activity of Phthalate Esters In Vitro. Environmental Health Perspectives 105(8): 802-811. |
| Open scientific literature | Swan SH. 2008. Environmental phthalate exposure in relation to reproductive outcomes and other health endpoints in humans. Environ Res 108(2): 177-84. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003 | RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.20- 41,589,2003 |
| RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology 2003 | RTECS®- Food and Chemical Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.20- 1982- 41,589,2003 |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1978 | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. (London, UK) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see FCTOD7. 16,415,1978 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1972 | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. (American Pharmaceutical Assoc., 2215 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037) V.50- 1961- 61,51,1972 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1944 | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1909/10- 82,377,1944 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1944 | RTECS®- Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 82,377,1944 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1985 | RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. (Hemisphere Pub., 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005) V.1- 1975/76- 16,61,1985 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1985 | RTECS®- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. (Hemisphere Pub., 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005) V.1- 16,61,1985 |
| RTECS®- Oyo Yakuri 1987 | RTECS®- Oyo Yakuri. Pharmacometrics. (Oyo Yakuri Kenkyukai, CPO Box 180, Sendai 980-91, Japan) V.1- -1967 33,387,1987 |
| RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1993 | RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968- 48,33,1993 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1987 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 88,255,1987 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 1982 | RTECS®- Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977- 10,379,1982 |
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