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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Waldorf

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.

 

22

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
2014ND10ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND70ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018ND10ND
2019ND100ND

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
2014-07-250080049_01_00036ND
2015-08-19E16000688001ND
2015-10-15E16001663001ND
2015-10-15E16001663003ND
2016-05-24E16004452002ND
2016-05-24E16004457001ND
2016-08-10E17000579002ND
2016-10-24E17001823003ND
2016-10-24E17001824003ND
2016-10-24E17001824004ND
2016-10-24E17001824001ND
2018-07-17E19000163001ND
2019-03-26E19003139001ND
2019-03-26E19003126001ND
2019-04-19E19003517001ND
2019-06-13E19004315005ND
2019-06-27E19004508001ND
2019-06-27E19004507001ND
2019-06-27E19004506001ND
2019-07-10E20000115002ND
2019-07-10E20000119001ND
2019-09-27E20001252001ND