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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Yorktown Water

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.

 

52

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND200ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND160ND
20180.390 ppb51ND - 1.95 ppb
2019ND70ND

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
2014-02-0314037002301ND
2014-02-0514037002601ND
2014-02-0514037002701ND
2014-04-0914100003801ND
2014-04-0914100003601ND
2014-04-0914100003301ND
2014-08-1114226000707ND
2014-08-1114226000507ND
2014-08-1114226000207ND
2014-08-1114226000307ND
2014-08-1114226000407ND
2014-08-1114226000107ND
2014-08-1114226000607ND
2014-10-2114296009707ND
2014-10-2114296009507ND
2014-10-2114296009807ND
2014-10-2114296010007ND
2014-10-2114296009407ND
2014-10-2114296009907ND
2014-10-2114296009607ND
2015-03-1615078001601ND
2015-05-2615148007501ND
2016-02-1716049005901ND
2016-06-1416168007101ND
2017-01-231701B90-003AND
2017-05-3017152005801ND
2017-08-0717222000906ND
2017-08-0717222001006ND
2017-08-0717222001306ND
2017-08-0717222001504ND
2017-08-0717222001106ND
2017-08-0717222001206ND
2017-08-0717222001604ND
2017-10-1717292005607ND
2017-10-1717292005707ND
2017-10-1717292005807ND
2017-10-1717292005907ND
2017-10-1717292005307ND
2017-10-1717292005407ND
2017-10-1717292005507ND
2018-01-0218004010402ND
2018-03-1218074002901ND
2018-06-0418158002301ND
2018-11-19183250004011.95 ppb
2018-11-1918325000501ND
2019-01-2919031001601ND
2019-02-2619059002501ND
2019-02-2619059002601ND
2019-06-1119164005001ND
2019-09-1719262001301ND
2019-11-0919324000801ND
2019-11-1919324000701ND