Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Eunice Water System (LAWCO)

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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND60ND
2020N/A00N/A
20210.590 ppb220.520 ppb - 0.660 ppb
2022ND20ND
2023ND60ND

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
2018-09-2435420588001ND
2018-09-2435420588001ND
2019-04-2235464160002ND
2019-04-2235464160003ND
2019-04-2235464160001ND
2019-04-2235464160002ND
2019-04-2235464160003ND
2019-04-2235464160001ND
2021-04-19356276570020.520 ppb
2021-04-19356276570010.660 ppb
2022-03-2135705902001ND
2022-03-2135705902002ND
2023-02-2735782726001ND
2023-06-2635809403001ND
2023-09-1135827498001ND
2023-11-1335841897001ND
2023-11-1335841897002ND
2023-11-1335841897003ND