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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Westchester Joint Water Works

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND30ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND20ND

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
2014-03-17AQ04609SOCND
2014-10-23AQ22037SOCND
2014-12-01AQ2457SOCND
2015-10-27AR23194SOCND
2015-10-27AR23193SOCND
2015-10-27AR23195SOCND
2016-09-06AS19150SOC WJWWND
2016-10-25AS22840ND
2017-10-30AT22858SOCND
2017-11-13AT23822SOC-WJWWND
2017-11-13AT23824SOC-WJWWND
2018-02-21AU03660SOCSND
2018-09-24AU20757WJWWSOCSND
2018-10-24AU23144SOCSND
2019-10-21AV22258SOCSND
2019-11-12AV23850WJWW-SOCSND