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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Calico Rock

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.

 

20

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
20150.313 ppb91ND - 2.82 ppb
2016ND30ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND10ND

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
2014-08-2514239002801ND
2015-03-3115092004701ND
2015-03-31150920049012.82 ppb
2015-03-3115092005001ND
2015-03-3115092004801ND
2015-06-0815161006801ND
2015-06-3015182001701ND
2015-08-1915232001201ND
2015-09-2215266002001ND
2015-11-2415329003401ND
2016-01-1316015011201ND
2016-03-0816070001801ND
2016-07-1216196017801ND
2017-07-1117194010101ND
2018-01-3018032004407ND
2018-01-3018032004607ND
2018-01-3018032004507ND
2018-01-3018032004707ND
2018-07-1018193011401ND
2019-08-2619240000501ND