Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Sjra The Woodlands

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
2014ND10ND
2015ND60ND
2016ND10ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND60ND
20190.860 ppb110.860 ppb

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
2014-03-10AC46292ND
2015-04-07AC87553ND
2015-04-07AC87552ND
2015-04-07AC87550ND
2015-04-07AC87548ND
2015-04-07AC87549ND
2015-10-15AD10885ND
2016-05-03AD35226ND
2017-03-09AD74475ND
2018-03-22AE19742ND
2018-03-22AE19738ND
2018-03-22AE19743ND
2018-03-22AE19739ND
2018-03-22AE19741ND
2018-03-22AE19740ND
2019-03-21AE595970.860 ppb