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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

City of Jacksonville

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.

 

20

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
20150.0875 ppb81ND - 0.700 ppb
2016ND20ND
2017ND20ND
20180.240 ppb51ND - 1.20 ppb
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
2014-01-15Q1401025001ND
2015-02-04Q1504457012ND
2015-02-04Q1504457011ND
2015-02-04Q1504457010ND
2015-02-04Q1504457007ND
2015-04-30Q1516039008ND
2015-04-30Q15160390070.700 ppb
2015-09-14Q1535516001ND
2015-10-16Q1540896007ND
2016-01-12Q1600962001ND
2016-04-07Q1613965008ND
2017-01-09Q1700773001ND
2017-03-07Q1709412011ND
2018-09-13Q1836630001ND
2018-11-12Q1845099013ND
2018-11-12Q1845099017ND
2018-11-12Q18450990091.20 ppb
2018-11-12Q1845099005ND
2019-01-30Q1904613021ND
2019-07-02Q1941674005ND