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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Porter SUD

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.

 

21

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND10ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND10ND
20181.83 ppb61ND - 11.0 ppb
2019ND60ND

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
2014-03-04AC45570ND
2015-04-13AC88025ND
2015-04-13AC88023ND
2015-04-13AC88024ND
2015-04-13AC88022ND
2015-06-15AC96098ND
2016-01-12AD17678ND
2016-01-12AD17677ND
2017-01-19AD65894ND
2018-01-09AE08455ND
2018-01-09AE08454ND
2018-04-05AE2150911.0 ppb
2018-08-31AE39195ND
2018-08-31AE39192ND
2018-10-10AE43324ND
2019-01-23AE51041ND
2019-01-23AE51042ND
2019-01-23AE51043ND
2019-04-08AE61484ND
2019-07-26AE76284ND
2019-10-15AE86687ND