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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Quartz Hill Water District

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, is a softener added to PVC plastics. Phthalates are hormone disruptors that target the male reproductive system. Read More.

DEHP can cross the placenta and disrupt steroid hormone synthesis, and may lead to cancer. In laboratory animals, exposure to DEHP during pregnancy harms fetal developmental and causes abnormalities in the male reproductive tract. Human epidemiological studies show certain phthalates, especially DEHP, are associated with reduced anogenital distance in human male infants, which is a measure of adverse developmental effects in human male� infants exposed prenatally to endocrine disrupting chemicals. DEHP may also interfere with signaling related to the timing of birth and may have adverse effects on the immune system.

 

40

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND100ND
2015N/A00N/A
2016ND120ND
2017ND90ND
2018ND80ND
2019ND10ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 3 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 3 ppb for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 6 ppb

The legal limit for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-02-183761-021-0915ND
2014-05-133761-021-0735ND
2014-06-033761-015-0945ND
2014-06-033761-012-0829ND
2014-06-033761-009-0858ND
2014-06-033761-005-0750ND
2014-09-303761-015-0710ND
2014-09-303761-012-0821ND
2014-09-303761-009-0737ND
2014-09-303761-005-0835ND
2016-07-263761-018-0700ND
2016-07-263761-021-0650ND
2016-07-263761-017-0715ND
2016-07-263761-006-0810ND
2016-07-263761-012-0750ND
2016-07-263761-016-0640ND
2016-10-113761-021-0740ND
2016-10-113761-006-0840ND
2016-10-113761-012-0900ND
2016-10-113761-016-0730ND
2016-10-113761-018-0820ND
2016-10-113761-017-0805ND
2017-10-103761-018-1020ND
2017-10-103761-016-0900ND
2017-10-103761-006-1030ND
2017-10-103761-021-1205ND
2017-10-103761-017-1000ND
2017-10-103761-012-1044ND
2017-11-143761-009-0740ND
2017-11-143761-005-0805ND
2017-11-143761-015-0900ND
2018-07-243761-017-0948ND
2018-07-243761-021-0910ND
2018-07-243761-016-0920ND
2018-07-243761-018-0930ND
2018-11-063761-021-0950ND
2018-11-063761-017-1030ND
2018-11-063761-018-1040ND
2018-11-063761-016-1010ND
2019-10-293761-006-0725ND