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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

City of Vacaville

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.

 

31

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND110ND
2015N/A00N/A
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND200ND
2018N/A00N/A
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
2014-01-215810-030-1314ND
2014-01-215810-001-1206ND
2014-01-215810-003-1117ND
2014-01-215810-004-1142ND
2014-01-215810-006-1054ND
2014-01-215810-007-0931ND
2014-01-215810-009-1029ND
2014-01-215810-010-1002ND
2014-01-215810-012-1233ND
2014-01-215810-024-1255ND
2014-06-185810-002-0740ND
2017-01-105810-024-1035ND
2017-01-245810-006-0840ND
2017-01-245810-009-0813ND
2017-01-245810-003-0935ND
2017-01-245810-001-1000ND
2017-01-245810-002-0903ND
2017-02-025810-010-1002ND
2017-02-025810-012-1041ND
2017-02-025810-030-1111ND
2017-03-235810-007-1146ND
2017-08-035810-012-0859ND
2017-08-035810-030-0950ND
2017-08-035810-024-0925ND
2017-08-035810-009-0804ND
2017-08-035810-001-0829ND
2017-08-155810-010-0829ND
2017-08-155810-007-0916ND
2017-08-155810-006-0854ND
2017-08-155810-003-0810ND
2017-08-155810-002-0742ND