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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Wellborn SUD

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.

 

31

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND30ND
2015ND40ND
20162.50 ppb61ND - 15.0 ppb
2017ND50ND
2018ND70ND
2019ND60ND

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
2014-02-13AC42895ND
2014-05-12AC53845ND
2014-09-10AC66622ND
2015-03-24AC85937ND
2015-03-24AC85936ND
2015-03-24AC85938ND
2015-03-24AC85935ND
2016-03-09AD28036ND
2016-03-09AD2804915.0 ppb
2016-03-09AD28047ND
2016-06-14AD40552ND
2016-09-30AD52164ND
2016-12-08AD61426ND
2017-03-07AD73826ND
2017-05-22AD85109ND
2017-09-19AD96962ND
2017-11-21AE05643ND
2017-11-21AE05642ND
2018-03-15AE18732ND
2018-05-08AE25652ND
2018-05-16AE26644ND
2018-05-16AE26646ND
2018-05-16AE26645ND
2018-08-23AE38289ND
2018-11-05AE45279ND
2019-01-15AE49935ND
2019-01-15AE49934ND
2019-06-06AE69538ND
2019-07-18AE75118ND
2019-07-18AE75119ND
2019-10-08AE86019ND