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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Great Waters At Reynolds Plantation

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
2014ND30ND
2015ND90ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND40ND
2018N/A00N/A
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
2014-12-15AI61690ND
2014-12-15AI61706ND
2014-12-15AI61709ND
2015-01-12AI62715ND
2015-01-12AI62730ND
2015-01-12AI62732ND
2015-04-13AI74731ND
2015-04-13AI74735ND
2015-04-13AI74737ND
2015-07-15AI83036ND
2015-07-15AI83041ND
2015-07-15AI83043ND
2017-01-10AJ37942ND
2017-04-04AJ52723ND
2017-07-11AJ59988ND
2017-10-09AJ71123ND