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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Castle Rock

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.

 

39

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
2015ND10ND
2016ND60ND
2017ND100ND
2018ND70ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-02-26ND
2014-04-29ND
2014-07-21ND
2014-07-22ND
2014-11-19ND
2014-12-04ND
2014-12-04ND
2015-08-05ND
2016-02-23ND
2016-02-24ND
2016-05-23ND
2016-06-27ND
2016-07-18ND
2016-11-14ND
2017-02-21ND
2017-02-21ND
2017-03-22ND
2017-04-18ND
2017-04-18ND
2017-05-16ND
2017-06-21ND
2017-07-17ND
2017-07-17ND
2017-10-18ND
2018-03-20ND
2018-03-20ND
2018-05-21ND
2018-08-30ND
2018-09-13ND
2018-11-16ND
2018-12-12ND
2019-02-07ND
2019-04-17ND
2019-09-16ND
2019-09-16ND
2019-11-05ND
2019-11-25ND
2019-12-11ND
2019-12-11ND