Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Aqua Water Supply Corporation

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.

 

29

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
20150.0623 ppb131ND - 0.810 ppb
2016ND20ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND110ND
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
2015-02-09AC79790ND
2015-02-09AC79793ND
2015-02-09AC79789ND
2015-02-09AC79791ND
2015-02-09AC79792ND
2015-02-10AC80057ND
2015-02-10AC80052ND
2015-02-10AC80054ND
2015-02-10AC80053ND
2015-02-10AC80056ND
2015-02-10AC800580.810 ppb
2015-08-04AD02437ND
2015-10-15AD10884ND
2016-01-26AD20206ND
2016-01-26AD20208ND
2017-01-12AD64892ND
2018-01-25AE10764ND
2018-01-25AE10759ND
2018-01-25AE10755ND
2018-01-25AE10761ND
2018-01-25AE10754ND
2018-01-25AE10758ND
2018-01-25AE10753ND
2018-01-25AE10752ND
2018-01-25AE10739ND
2018-01-25AE10756ND
2018-01-25AE10757ND
2019-05-15AE66645ND
2019-05-15AE66646ND