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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Downey Water Department

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

82

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND340ND
2016ND50ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND400ND
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
2015-05-052706-016-0237ND
2015-05-052706-005-0210ND
2015-05-052706-019-0136ND
2015-05-052706-011-0304ND
2015-05-052706-020-0115ND
2015-05-052706-024-1245ND
2015-05-062706-017-0122ND
2015-05-062706-018-0156ND
2015-05-062706-014-1258ND
2015-05-062706-032-0949ND
2015-05-062706-012-1219ND
2015-05-062706-021-0832ND
2015-05-062706-009-0920ND
2015-05-062706-029-0808ND
2015-05-062706-030-0743ND
2015-05-062706-025-0716ND
2015-05-062706-007-1110ND
2015-08-182706-009-1052ND
2015-08-182706-016-1026ND
2015-08-182706-032-1107ND
2015-08-182706-014-1152ND
2015-08-182706-012-1138ND
2015-08-182706-007-1120ND
2015-08-182706-011-1038ND
2015-08-192706-019-0951ND
2015-08-192706-025-0722ND
2015-08-192706-018-1031ND
2015-08-192706-026-0835ND
2015-08-192706-020-0935ND
2015-08-192706-030-0743ND
2015-08-192706-029-0803ND
2015-08-192706-024-0856ND
2015-08-192706-017-1050ND
2015-12-172706-005-0922ND
2016-03-092706-005-0948ND
2016-04-072706-033-0803ND
2016-05-102706-005-1007ND
2016-06-072706-033-0832ND
2016-08-102706-033-0728ND
2017-02-282706-010-1015ND
2017-02-282706-021-2040ND
2017-06-279588-010-1252ND
2018-02-139588-016-1132ND
2018-02-139588-005-1105ND
2018-02-139588-007-0900ND
2018-02-139588-033-1220ND
2018-02-139588-009-0930ND
2018-02-139588-032-1020ND
2018-02-139588-011-1200ND
2018-02-139588-014-1255ND
2018-02-139588-010-0945ND
2018-02-149588-020-1206ND
2018-02-149588-030-1020ND
2018-02-149588-029-1039ND
2018-02-149588-026-1059ND
2018-02-149588-017-1136ND
2018-02-149588-024-1226ND
2018-02-219588-018-0925ND
2018-02-219588-019-1000ND
2018-02-219588-021-1047ND
2018-03-149588-012-1131ND
2018-03-269588-025-1035ND
2018-05-019588-032-1300ND
2018-05-019588-029-1356ND
2018-05-019588-019-1159ND
2018-05-019588-010-1150ND
2018-05-029588-033-1338ND
2018-05-029588-016-1045ND
2018-05-029588-014-1315ND
2018-05-029588-012-1257ND
2018-05-029588-011-1111ND
2018-05-029588-009-1000ND
2018-05-029588-007-1237ND
2018-05-029588-005-1207ND
2018-05-039588-026-1013ND
2018-05-039588-025-0820ND
2018-05-039588-021-1045ND
2018-05-039588-030-0938ND
2018-05-039588-018-1142ND
2018-05-039588-017-1220ND
2018-05-099588-024-0930ND
2018-05-299588-020-1240ND