Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Metropolitan DWID

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.

 

69

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND50ND
20150.0165 ppb461ND - 0.760 ppb
2016ND20ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND60ND
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
2014-02-26201402280306SND
2014-02-26201402280282SND
2014-06-19201406200464SND
2014-09-04201409060157SND
2014-11-12201411130825SND
2015-01-06201501070156SND
2015-01-06201501070152SND
2015-01-06201501070154SND
2015-01-06201501070158SND
2015-01-06201501070160SND
2015-01-07201501080355SND
2015-01-07201501080353SND
2015-01-07201501080351SND
2015-01-07201501080349SND
2015-01-07201501080347SND
2015-01-13201501150312SND
2015-01-13201501140714SND
2015-01-13201501150314SND
2015-01-15201501160152SND
2015-01-15201501160150SND
2015-01-15201501160148SND
2015-01-15201501160146SND
2015-01-15201501160144SND
2015-01-20201501210367SND
2015-01-20201501210290SND
2015-01-20201501210366SND
2015-01-20201501210368SND
2015-01-20201501210369SND
2015-08-11201508120701SND
2015-08-11201508120699SND
2015-08-11201508120602SND
2015-08-17201508180560SND
2015-08-17201508180554SND
2015-08-17201508180552SND
2015-08-18201508190516SND
2015-08-18201508190365SND
2015-08-18201508190363SND
2015-08-18201508190361SND
2015-08-19201508200461SND
2015-08-19201508200460SND
2015-08-19201508200394SND
2015-08-24201508250636SND
2015-08-24201508250634SND
2015-08-24201508250638S0.760 ppb
2015-08-25201508260491SND
2015-08-25201508260489SND
2015-08-25201508260487SND
2015-08-31201509010792SND
2015-08-31201509010790SND
2015-09-15201509170001SND
2015-09-22201509150362SND
2016-08-15201608160726SND
2016-11-14201611160561SND
2017-02-13201702151014SND
2017-05-23201705250595SND
2017-08-08201708100779SND
2018-03-26201803281193SND
2018-05-02201805040307SND
2018-08-20201808230003SND
2018-08-27201808300493SND
2018-08-27201808290858SND
2018-11-06201811080987SND
2019-02-05201902070769SND
2019-02-05201902070759SND
2019-05-21201905230550SND
2019-07-01201907020492SND
2019-08-27201908290464SND
2019-08-28201908300219SND
2019-11-12201911140395SND