Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Wendell, City of

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.

 

16

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
20190.200 ppb41ND - 0.800 ppb
20201.02 ppb42ND - 2.23 ppb
20211.24 ppb61ND - 7.42 ppb
2022ND10ND
2023ND10ND

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
2019-04-15S18777110.800 ppb
2019-04-15S1877741ND
2019-07-08S1905371ND
2019-10-03S1933801ND
2020-03-23S1978901ND
2020-06-25S20050311.86 ppb
2020-07-31S2015301ND
2020-12-28S20531712.23 ppb
2021-03-16S20727717.42 ppb
2021-03-18S2073661ND
2021-03-18S2073711ND
2021-06-10S2100011ND
2021-09-09S2126301ND
2021-10-15S2136271ND
2022-01-20S2160931ND
2023-09-25S2343911ND