Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Little River County Rda

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
20160.700 ppb41ND - 2.80 ppb
2017ND40ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND30ND

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
2016-02-1616049001307ND
2016-04-0416098004307ND
2016-07-06161890084012.80 ppb
2016-10-031610189-001AND
2017-02-011702128-001AND
2017-04-0317095003501ND
2017-07-0417187002401ND
2017-08-0117215003901ND
2018-01-0318004007401ND
2018-03-0518067000301ND
2018-07-0318186006901ND
2018-08-2118235001001ND
2018-09-2618270001101ND
2019-01-0819010007207ND
2019-05-2019141000307ND
2019-07-0919191003001ND