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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

White City WID

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.

 

22

Samples

0

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
2017ND20ND
20180.341 ppb101ND - 3.41 ppb
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 Result
2014-01-14ND
2015-01-21ND
2015-06-10ND
2015-06-25ND
2015-06-25ND
2015-06-25ND
2016-01-26ND
2016-05-10ND
2017-03-07ND
2017-04-11ND
2018-01-12ND
2018-03-23ND
2018-03-233.41 ppb
2018-05-18ND
2018-05-18ND
2018-05-18ND
2018-06-22ND
2018-06-25ND
2018-08-20ND
2018-09-25ND
2019-06-25ND
2019-08-14ND