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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

City of Kerrville

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.

 

28

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND20ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND90ND
2018ND70ND
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
2014-02-10AC42045ND
2014-10-15AC69763ND
2015-01-28AC78283ND
2015-01-28AC78284ND
2015-04-15AC88477ND
2015-08-14AD04451ND
2015-08-14AD04452ND
2016-02-01AD21266ND
2016-02-01AD21273ND
2016-10-24AD54448ND
2017-02-13AD70497ND
2017-05-08AD83181ND
2017-05-09AD83439ND
2017-05-09AD83440ND
2017-07-05AD88368ND
2017-07-05AD88369ND
2017-07-05AD88367ND
2017-10-09AD99914ND
2017-10-09AD99915ND
2018-01-08AE08201ND
2018-01-08AE08191ND
2018-01-08AE08190ND
2018-03-22AE19736ND
2018-10-01AE42289ND
2018-10-01AE42290ND
2018-10-01AE42291ND
2019-01-14AE49688ND
2019-04-08AE61490ND