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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

SJWTX Triple Peak Plant

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)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND30ND
20150.450 ppb81ND - 3.60 ppb
2016ND70ND
2017ND70ND
2018ND70ND
2019ND50ND

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
2014-03-31AC48831ND
2014-04-17AC51170ND
2014-06-24AC57862ND
2015-01-16AC76870ND
2015-06-03AC94484ND
2015-06-03AC944833.60 ppb
2015-06-03AC94486ND
2015-06-03AC94482ND
2015-06-03AC94485ND
2015-06-03AC94481ND
2015-11-03AD12442ND
2016-01-26AD20201ND
2016-01-26AD20202ND
2016-03-18AD29753ND
2016-04-22AD34075ND
2016-04-22AD34074ND
2016-07-26AD45806ND
2016-12-01AD60033ND
2017-02-01AD68206ND
2017-02-01AD68204ND
2017-02-01AD68205ND
2017-02-01AD68207ND
2017-05-03AD82868ND
2017-05-31AD86245ND
2017-07-27AD91197ND
2018-02-06AE12596ND
2018-04-23AE23581ND
2018-04-23AE23587ND
2018-06-20AE30849ND
2018-06-20AE30848ND
2018-08-27AE38572ND
2018-11-06AE45479ND
2019-02-12AE54220ND
2019-02-12AE54221ND
2019-05-22AE67804ND
2019-06-18AE71224ND
2019-07-01AE72969ND