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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Port Washington 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.

 

36

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
20140.0833 ppb91ND - 0.750 ppb
2015ND80ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND50ND

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
2014-04-071404529-002-SOCSND
2014-05-051405251-001-SOCS0.750 ppb
2014-06-021406109-001-SOCSND
2014-07-071407372-002-SOCSND
2014-07-071407372-005-SOCSND
2014-07-141407945-005-SOCSND
2014-08-041408146-001-SOCSND
2014-09-081409535-001-SOCSND
2014-10-061410357-001-SOCSND
2015-04-131504911-003-SOCSND
2015-05-041505212-001-SOCSND
2015-06-011506099-001-SOCSND
2015-07-061507268-002-SOCSND
2015-07-061507268-005-SOCSND
2015-08-031508069-001-SOCSND
2015-09-081509487-001-SOCSND
2015-10-051510291-001-SOCSND
2016-07-051607195-001-SOCSND
2016-08-081608841-001-SOCSND
2016-08-081608841-002-SOCSND
2016-08-151608E02-001-SOCSND
2017-07-037023331001-SOCSND
2017-08-077026412003-SOCSND
2017-08-077026412001-SOCSND
2017-08-077026412002-SOCSND
2018-07-107057573001ND
2018-08-147061478003ND
2018-08-147061478002-SOCND
2018-08-147061478001ND
2018-08-147061478002ND
2018-10-017066393012ND
2019-04-25708726800ND
2019-07-157097515003ND
2019-08-1270100932002ND
2019-08-207010205002ND
2019-08-2070102058001ND