Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Metropolitan District Commission

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.

 

19

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND70ND
2019N/A00N/A
2020ND30ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND30ND
2023ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-06-27CA79476ND
2018-06-27CA79477ND
2018-06-27CA79475ND
2018-09-25CB38504ND
2018-09-25CB38505RND
2018-09-25CB38869ND
2018-09-25CB38505ND
2020-12-08SOC 200600638ND
2020-12-08SOC 200600609ND
2020-12-09SOC 200600592ND
2021-11-23S300107511 300107517ND
2021-11-23S300107593 300107600ND
2021-11-29S300109627 300109633ND
2022-12-15S300287039 300287048ND
2022-12-15S300287062 300287069ND
2022-12-15S300287090 300287097ND
2023-12-05S300456329 300456336ND
2023-12-06S300456308 300456315ND
2023-12-06S300456298 300456305ND