Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Monrovia 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.

 

20

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
2015ND100ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017N/A00N/A
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
2015-07-159588-003-0930ND
2015-07-159588-008-0945ND
2015-07-159588-004-0920ND
2015-07-159588-002-0955ND
2015-07-159588-005-0910ND
2015-10-149588-002-0925ND
2015-10-149588-008-0900ND
2015-10-149588-003-0915ND
2015-10-149588-004-0945ND
2015-10-149588-005-0935ND
2018-07-129588-004-0935ND
2018-07-129588-008-0905ND
2018-07-129588-005-0925ND
2018-07-129588-003-0915ND
2018-07-129588-002-0950ND
2018-10-039588-004-0945ND
2018-10-039588-003-0910ND
2018-10-039588-005-0935ND
2018-10-039588-002-0925ND
2018-10-039588-008-0905ND