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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Hope Water Light Comm.

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.

 

41

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND120ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND50ND
2017ND110ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND40ND

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
2014-03-1114072010007ND
2014-03-1114072009907ND
2014-03-1114072010307ND
2014-03-1114072009807ND
2014-03-1114072010207ND
2014-03-1114072010107ND
2014-05-2114142009606ND
2014-05-2114142009707ND
2014-05-2114142009506ND
2014-05-2114142008806ND
2014-05-2114142009807ND
2014-05-2114142009406ND
2015-03-0215065000507ND
2015-04-0615100000401ND
2015-04-0615100000501ND
2015-04-0615100000107ND
2016-01-2616028001307ND
2016-02-0916042000707ND
2016-04-0416098011707ND
2016-05-2416147005901ND
2016-05-2416147006601ND
2017-02-2817060001501ND
2017-02-2817060001801ND
2017-02-2817060001701ND
2017-02-2817060001401ND
2017-02-2817060001601ND
2017-05-0917130008306ND
2017-05-0917130008606ND
2017-05-0917130008506ND
2017-05-0917130008206ND
2017-05-0917130008406ND
2017-05-0917130008706ND
2018-02-2018053003207ND
2018-05-0818130003402ND
2018-05-2118144004901ND
2018-05-2118144005001ND
2018-07-2418207000801ND
2019-02-0619038004107ND
2019-05-2019141000707ND
2019-06-0419157002601ND
2019-06-0419157002501ND