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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

West Cedar Creek MUD

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
2014ND60ND
2015ND20ND
20160.250 ppb21ND - 0.500 ppb
20170.750 ppb21ND - 1.50 ppb
2018ND20ND
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
2014-03-20Q1409072006ND
2014-03-20Q1409072007ND
2014-06-25Q1423903001ND
2014-06-25Q1423903002ND
2014-09-24Q1447528009ND
2014-09-24Q1447528010ND
2015-03-26Q1511276001ND
2015-12-14Q1549743001ND
2016-03-02Q1609003001ND
2016-03-02Q16090030020.500 ppb
2017-03-01Q1708733001ND
2017-03-01Q17087330021.50 ppb
2018-08-22Q1833716011ND
2018-08-22Q1833716003ND
2019-01-07Q1900334018ND
2019-01-07Q1900334019ND