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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Connecticut Water Company - Northern Region-Western System

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.

 

40

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
2014ND10ND
2015ND200ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND110ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND20ND

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
2014-03-20140325CWCSOC5ND
2015-01-203173050ND
2015-02-113185965ND
2015-03-193210166ND
2015-03-193210176ND
2015-03-303216191ND
2015-03-313216990ND
2015-04-223230624ND
2015-04-223230632ND
2015-04-223230616ND
2015-04-273231831ND
2015-04-283232542ND
2015-05-263249452ND
2015-05-283251624ND
2015-06-12BJ30561SOC5ND
2015-07-01BJ40227SOC5ND
2015-07-02BJ41078SOC5ND
2015-08-13BJ73997SOC5ND
2015-08-21BJ79580SOC5ND
2015-08-28BJ83828SOC5ND
2015-10-15BK08819SOC5ND
2016-01-27BK58056SOC5ND
2016-05-25BN40004SOC5ND
2016-06-23BN62227SOC5ND
2017-03-03BX79851SOC5ND
2017-03-03BX79849SOC5ND
2017-04-06BY00572SOC5ND
2017-04-21BY07960SOC5ND
2017-04-21BY07962SOC5ND
2017-05-30BY30818SOC5ND
2017-06-01BY32097SOC5ND
2017-07-07BY54443SOC5ND
2017-07-14BY60158SOC5ND
2017-07-27BY73973SOC5ND
2017-08-11BY83260SOC5ND
2018-01-31BZ82950SOC5ND
2018-06-28CA80715SOC5ND
2018-07-26CA99050ND
2019-01-09SOC 200518249ND
2019-03-11SOC 200524185ND