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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Kalaheo-Koloa

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.

 

45

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
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND180ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND10ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND240ND

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
2015-09-01201509030217ND
2015-09-21201509230164ND
2015-09-21201509230165ND
2015-09-21201509230169ND
2015-09-21201509230170ND
2015-09-21201509230171ND
2015-09-21201509230172ND
2015-09-21201509230231ND
2015-09-21201509230232ND
2015-11-16201511180489ND
2015-11-18201511200369ND
2015-11-18201511200370ND
2015-12-01201512030500ND
2015-12-01201512030499ND
2015-12-01201512030498ND
2015-12-01201512030496ND
2015-12-01201512030495ND
2015-12-01201512030497ND
2017-05-16ND
2018-01-29201801310036ND
2018-01-29201801000000ND
2019-01-30201901310193ND
2019-03-20201903220303ND
2019-03-20201903220416ND
2019-03-20201903220488ND
2019-03-20201903220415ND
2019-03-20201903220302ND
2019-03-22201903260247ND
2019-03-22201903260250ND
2019-03-22201903260219ND
2019-03-22201903260218ND
2019-03-22201903260283ND
2019-06-18201906200462ND
2019-08-20201908220600ND
2019-08-20201908220601ND
2019-08-20201908220544ND
2019-08-20201908220543ND
2019-08-21201908230494ND
2019-08-21201908230483ND
2019-08-21201908230361ND
2019-08-21201908230362ND
2019-08-21201908230493ND
2019-08-21201908230482ND
2019-08-26201908280583ND
2019-10-15201910170567ND