Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Regional Water Authority

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	N/A	0	N/A
2015	ND	1	ND
2016	ND	19	ND
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	ND	22	ND

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
2015-06-25	SOC 200419193	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439626	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439625	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439623	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439622	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439619	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439620	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439627	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439628	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448468	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448473	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448472	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448466	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448465	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448469	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448470	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448471	ND
2016-08-30	SOC 200448554	ND
2016-09-28	SOC 200451204	ND
2016-11-22	SOC 200455270	ND
2019-05-08	SOC 200531300	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533720	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533659	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533660	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533803	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533719	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533804	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533881	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533880	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533867	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533868	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546200	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546198	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546197	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546267	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546268	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546302	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546303	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546738	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546737	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546736	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546553	ND