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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Sulphur Water 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.

 

34

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.213 ppb124ND - 0.730 ppb
2015ND20ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND100ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-07-21AD93897ND
2014-07-21AD93894ND
2014-07-21AD93897ND
2014-07-21AD93896ND
2014-07-21AD93895ND
2014-07-21AD93894ND
2014-07-21AD93895ND
2014-07-21AD93896ND
2014-10-06AD983250.550 ppb
2014-10-06AD983260.730 ppb
2014-10-06AD983250.550 ppb
2014-10-06AD983260.730 ppb
2015-03-0235177665003ND
2015-03-0235177665003ND
2017-09-1935337316009ND
2017-09-1935337316006ND
2017-09-1935337316008ND
2017-09-1935337316007ND
2017-09-1935337316006ND
2017-09-1935337316009ND
2017-09-1935337316008ND
2017-09-1935337316007ND
2017-11-1435348991003ND
2017-11-1435348991003ND
2018-03-1335380483005ND
2018-03-1335380483005ND
2019-12-0935518078001ND
2019-12-0935518078004ND
2019-12-0935518078003ND
2019-12-0935518078002ND
2019-12-0935518078001ND
2019-12-0935518078004ND
2019-12-0935518078003ND
2019-12-0935518078002ND