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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

City of Arcadia

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.

 

34

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND60ND
20150.550 ppb121ND - 6.60 ppb
2016ND30ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND100ND
2019N/A00N/A

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
2014-07-109588-039-1115ND
2014-07-109588-037-1155ND
2014-07-109588-025-1100ND
2014-10-099588-039-1135ND
2014-10-099588-037-1155ND
2014-10-099588-025-1120ND
2015-03-179588-040-13326.60 ppb
2015-05-059588-040-1208ND
2015-06-029588-040-1315ND
2015-07-079588-040-1255ND
2015-07-149588-007-0935ND
2015-07-149588-041-1000ND
2015-07-149588-040-0945ND
2015-08-049588-040-1332ND
2015-10-219588-007-1005ND
2015-10-219588-041-1030ND
2015-10-219588-040-1015ND
2015-12-169588-040-0915ND
2016-03-099588-040-0816ND
2016-06-149588-040-0937ND
2016-12-139588-040-1330ND
2017-03-149588-040-0836ND
2017-11-289588-037-1010ND
2017-11-289588-039-0950ND
2018-01-049588-039-1050ND
2018-01-049588-037-1125ND
2018-03-079588-037-1500ND
2018-04-099588-039-1020ND
2018-04-099588-037-1045ND
2018-07-169588-041-1030ND
2018-07-169588-040-1040ND
2018-07-169588-007-1015ND
2018-10-159588-041-1010ND
2018-10-159588-040-0955ND