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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Wallace, Town of

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.

 

30

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
2016ND160ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND140ND

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
2016-06-0137729_16-17206ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17207ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17209ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17210ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17211ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17212ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17213ND
2016-06-0137729_16-17205ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44568ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44567ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44566ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44565ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44563ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44562ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44561ND
2016-12-2237729_16-44564ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34853 ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34839 ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34827 ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34817 ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34806 ND
2019-08-1437729_19-34796 ND
2019-08-1937729_19-35357 ND
2019-09-1837729_19-40268 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50855 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50854 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50853 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50852 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50851 ND
2019-11-2737729_19-50849 ND