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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

California Water Service Company - Dominguez

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
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND150ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND140ND
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
2015-03-255810-018-1330ND
2015-05-069590-036-1435ND
2015-05-069590-023-1325ND
2015-05-069590-024-1050ND
2015-05-069590-019-1015ND
2015-05-069590-004-1515ND
2015-05-139590-050-1250ND
2015-05-209590-016-1312ND
2015-05-209590-022-1330ND
2015-08-059590-050-1147ND
2015-08-129590-036-1322ND
2015-08-129590-019-1005ND
2015-08-129590-023-1115ND
2015-08-129590-004-1140ND
2015-08-199590-024-1040ND
2016-03-239590-018-1340ND
2016-08-249590-018-1015ND
2016-12-289590-019-0930ND
2017-03-089590-019-1430ND
2017-10-169590-805-1030ND
2018-05-029590-018-1339ND
2018-05-029590-004-1409ND
2018-05-029590-036-1330ND
2018-05-029590-024-1015ND
2018-05-029590-023-1100ND
2018-05-079590-050-1305ND
2018-05-309590-019-1030ND
2018-08-019590-019-1055ND
2018-08-019590-024-1435ND
2018-08-019590-018-1020ND
2018-08-019590-023-1130ND
2018-08-019590-036-1315ND
2018-08-019590-004-1320ND
2018-08-019590-050-1035ND
2019-02-219590-065-1345ND
2019-12-199590-022-1325ND
2019-12-269590-016-1245ND