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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Lakeview Acres Lot Owners

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.

 

28

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
20161.82 ppb52ND - 7.06 ppb
2017ND80ND
2018ND80ND
2019ND70ND

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
2016-08-222.06 ppb
2016-08-227.06 ppb
2016-08-22ND
2016-10-31ND
2016-10-31ND
2017-03-20ND
2017-03-20ND
2017-05-08ND
2017-05-08ND
2017-07-17ND
2017-07-17ND
2017-10-10ND
2017-10-23ND
2018-01-08531824ND
2018-01-08531823ND
2018-04-02543568ND
2018-04-02543569ND
2018-07-12560959ND
2018-07-12560960ND
2018-10-17577018ND
2018-10-17577019ND
2019-03-06599248ND
2019-03-06599249ND
2019-04-30602860ND
2019-04-30602861ND
2019-07-31621121ND
2019-07-31621120ND
2019-08-28618959ND