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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Bethpage WD

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.

 

38

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
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND120ND
2016ND90ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018ND90ND
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
2015-03-231503F55-001ND
2015-04-091504634-001ND
2015-06-081506620-001ND
2015-06-081506620-002ND
2015-06-091506727-001ND
2015-06-091506768-002ND
2015-06-09156727-002ND
2015-06-091506768-001ND
2015-06-101506874-001ND
2015-06-101506849-001ND
2015-07-011507016-001ND
2015-10-021510136-001ND
2016-04-011604038-001ND
2016-04-011604038-002ND
2016-06-091606933-003ND
2016-06-091606933-002ND
2016-06-091606993-001ND
2016-06-101606A06-002ND
2016-06-101606A77-002ND
2016-06-101606A06-001ND
2016-06-101606A77-001ND
2018-02-067042094006ND
2018-02-067042094007ND
2018-02-067042094005ND
2018-02-067042094009ND
2018-02-067042094008ND
2018-02-067042094004ND
2018-02-067042094001ND
2018-02-067042094003ND
2018-02-067042094002ND
2019-09-1670105002006ND
2019-09-1670105002001ND
2019-09-1670105002005ND
2019-09-1670105002002ND
2019-09-1670105002003ND
2019-09-1670105002004ND
2019-09-1670105002007ND
2019-09-2070105818001ND