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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Fairmont, Town of

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.

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
20161.43 ppb32ND - 2.20 ppb
2017ND80ND
2018ND80ND
20190.486 ppb71ND - 3.40 ppb

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
2016-11-3092321541002SOC2.10 ppb
2016-11-3092321541003SOC2.20 ppb
2016-11-3092321541001SOCND
2017-03-2392334589001SOCND
2017-03-2392334589002SOCND
2017-05-2592342145001SOCND
2017-05-2592342145002SOCND
2017-08-0392350239001SOCND
2017-08-0392350239002SOCND
2017-11-0937729_17-42706ND
2017-11-0937729_17-42710ND
2018-02-2292374576002SOC ND
2018-02-2292374576001SOC ND
2018-05-10CB07231-01 ND
2018-05-10CB07231-02 ND
2018-08-2392397046001SOC ND
2018-08-2392397046002SOC ND
2018-11-1592407687001SOC ND
2018-11-1592407687002SOC ND
2019-02-1992418338001_1271ND
2019-02-2892419571001_1271ND
2019-02-2892419571002_1271ND
2019-02-2892419571003_1271ND
2019-03-0692420546001_12713.40 ppb
2019-04-1737729_19-16921 ND
2019-10-3137729_19-46972 ND