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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Ozark Utilities Board

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.

 

37

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015N/A00N/A
20160.0181 ppb163ND - 0.160 ppb
2017N/A00N/A
2018N/A00N/A
20190.0165 ppb207ND - 0.0700 ppb

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
2014-04-17AC89206ND
2016-02-18AB100610.160 ppb
2016-02-18AB10067ND
2016-02-18AB10071ND
2016-02-18AB10063ND
2016-06-13AB12393ND
2016-06-13AB12396ND
2016-06-13AB123950.0700 ppb
2016-06-13AB12394ND
2016-08-03AB14008ND
2016-08-03AB14010ND
2016-08-03AB14009ND
2016-08-03AB140110.0600 ppb
2016-12-27AB17041ND
2016-12-27AB17039ND
2016-12-27AB17042ND
2016-12-27AB17040ND
2019-02-07AB32883ND
2019-02-07AB328850.0400 ppb
2019-02-07AB328860.0400 ppb
2019-02-07AB328840.0400 ppb
2019-02-07AB328870.0400 ppb
2019-06-19AB361100.0500 ppb
2019-06-19AB361090.0500 ppb
2019-06-19AB36111ND
2019-06-19AB36108ND
2019-06-19AB36107ND
2019-08-27AB37953ND
2019-08-27AB37952ND
2019-08-27AB37951ND
2019-08-27AB37954ND
2019-08-27AB37950ND
2019-11-21AB40300ND
2019-11-21AB40310ND
2019-11-21AB40297ND
2019-11-21AB40299ND
2019-11-21AB402980.0700 ppb