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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Far West Water & Sewer Inc

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.

 

44

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND80ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND120ND
20170.170 ppb41ND - 0.680 ppb
2018ND40ND
20190.327 ppb111ND - 3.60 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
2014-03-052987715ND
2014-03-052987714ND
2014-05-14550-24686-1ND
2014-08-19550-30280-1ND
2014-08-19550-30277-1ND
2014-09-08550-31193-1ND
2014-09-08550-31191-1ND
2014-10-08550-33049-1ND
2015-01-07550-38044-1ND
2015-01-07550-38043-1ND
2015-04-22550-43704-1ND
2015-07-27550-48527-1ND
2015-11-23550-54911-1ND
2016-01-18550-57438-1ND
2016-01-18550-57423-1ND
2016-01-25550-57775-1TND
2016-01-25550-57774-1TND
2016-02-22550-59253-1TND
2016-04-18550-62077-1ND
2016-08-08550-67724-1ND
2016-08-08550-67722-1ND
2016-08-29550-68785-1ND
2016-08-29550-68784-1SND
2016-09-05550-69042-1ND
2016-12-05550-73918-1ND
2017-01-09550-75570-1ND
2017-01-09550-75548-1ND
2017-05-17550-83036-1ND
2017-12-21550-95253-10.680 ppb
2018-03-29550-100273-1ND
2018-06-06550-104008-2ND
2018-06-06550-104008-1ND
2018-09-18550-110000-1ND
2019-03-14550-119476-13.60 ppb
2019-04-04550-120592-5ND
2019-04-04550-120592-4ND
2019-04-04550-120592-3ND
2019-04-04550-120592-2ND
2019-04-04550-120592-1ND
2019-10-15550-131565-1ND
2019-10-15550-131565-5ND
2019-10-15550-131565-4ND
2019-10-15550-131565-3ND
2019-10-15550-131565-2ND