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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Memorial Villages Water Authority

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.

 

24

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
2015ND90ND
2016ND60ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

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
2015-01-23AC77710ND
2015-01-23AC77717ND
2015-01-23AC77711ND
2015-09-28AD08862ND
2015-09-28AD08861ND
2015-09-28AD08863ND
2015-12-11AD16899ND
2015-12-11AD16889ND
2015-12-11AD16901ND
2016-01-20AD19050ND
2016-01-20AD19051ND
2016-03-14AD28639ND
2016-04-26AD34271ND
2016-04-26AD34270ND
2016-04-26AD34272ND
2017-01-04AD63064ND
2017-01-04AD63063ND
2017-01-04AD63062ND
2018-01-22AE09703ND
2018-01-22AE09702ND
2018-04-06AE21771ND
2019-02-11AE53910ND
2019-02-11AE53912ND
2019-07-12AE74490ND