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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Indiana American Water - Muncie

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.

 

25

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
2014ND40ND
2015ND60ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND

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
2014-02-12247664RS525-1401ND
2014-05-12256294RS525-1402ND
2014-08-11265610RS525-1403ND
2014-11-10274877RS525-1404ND
2015-02-11281649RS525-1501ND
2015-04-0628645301RS525-15ND
2015-05-1328894001RS525-15ND
2015-07-0629498501RS28-150ND
2015-08-1129927201RS-1503ND
2015-10-10305389RS525-1504ND
2016-05-10318674RS525-1602ND
2016-08-0832886001RS525-16ND
2016-11-1733727501RS-1604ND
2017-02-15345562RS525-1701ND
2017-05-09354284RS525-1702ND
2017-08-16365873RS525-1703ND
2017-11-13375895RS525-1704ND
2018-05-14393366RS525-1802ND
2018-07-05401595RS28-1803ND
2018-08-14405483RS525-1803ND
2018-11-14417802RS525-1804ND
2019-02-11428107RS-1901ND
2019-05-1343918401ND
2019-08-12454024RS-1903ND
2019-11-13470347RS-1904ND