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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Arizona Water Company - Sierra Vista

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
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
2016ND140ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018ND140ND
2019N/A00N/A

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
2016-04-04201604050494SCND
2016-04-04201604050494SBND
2016-04-04201604050494SAND
2016-04-04201604050492SDND
2016-04-04201604050492SCND
2016-04-04201604050492SBND
2016-04-04201604050492SAND
2016-07-20201607210442SCND
2016-07-20201607210442SBND
2016-07-20201607210442SAND
2016-07-20201607210430SCND
2016-07-20201607210430SBND
2016-07-20201607210430SAND
2016-11-14201611150530SND
2018-01-23201801240130SCND
2018-01-23201801240130SBND
2018-01-23201801240130SAND
2018-01-23201801240115SDND
2018-01-23201801240115SCND
2018-01-23201801240115SBND
2018-01-23201801240115SAND
2018-07-25201807250658SAND
2018-07-25201807250662SCND
2018-07-25201807250662SBND
2018-07-25201807250662SAND
2018-07-25201807250658SDND
2018-07-25201807250658SCND
2018-07-25201807250658SBND