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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Bradley Waterworks

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND30ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND10ND
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
2014-02-2514058004101ND
2014-05-2714149000601ND
2014-08-2514240005801ND
2015-09-0215246002701ND
2015-09-2315267000801ND
2016-09-121609646-003AND
2016-09-121609646-004AND
2016-12-121612705-002AND
2017-02-061702535-001AND
2017-04-1717109003007ND
2017-08-0117215004106ND
2017-08-0117215004201ND
2018-08-1318228002701ND
2019-07-3119213001707ND
2019-07-3119213001507ND
2019-08-1219227002107ND