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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Lubbock Public Water System

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.

 

14

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND20ND
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
2014-01-22Q1401929004ND
2014-02-12Q1404338004ND
2015-02-03Q1504173007ND
2015-04-07Q1513290007ND
2016-02-03Q1604716006ND
2016-02-03Q1604716007ND
2016-04-06Q1613543003ND
2017-02-08Q1705565005ND
2017-09-27Q1746701007ND
2018-02-07Q1805018015ND
2018-03-26Q1812603001ND
2019-02-14Q1906913009ND
2019-04-16Q1915160006ND
2019-04-16Q1915160007ND