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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Collegeville Trappe Joint Public Works Department

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.

 

40

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND140ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND140ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-05-0514041898-01ND
2014-05-0514041899-01ND
2014-05-0514041900-01ND
2014-05-0514041901-01ND
2014-05-0514041902-01ND
2014-05-0514041903-01ND
2014-05-0514041904-01ND
2014-07-211427972ND
2014-07-211427971ND
2014-07-211427973ND
2014-08-041431079ND
2014-08-041431080ND
2014-08-041431081ND
2014-08-041431082ND
2015-05-0412748389ND
2015-05-0412748391ND
2015-05-0412748390ND
2016-05-0214249435ND
2016-05-0214249433ND
2016-05-0214249434ND
2017-05-0116092917ND
2017-05-0116092945ND
2017-05-0116093085ND
2017-05-0116092973ND
2017-05-0116093001ND
2017-05-0116093029ND
2017-05-0116093057ND
2017-08-0116564118ND
2017-08-0116564278ND
2017-08-0116564238ND
2017-08-0116564208ND
2017-08-0116564178ND
2017-08-0116564148ND
2017-08-0116564098ND
2018-05-098052987-01ND
2018-05-098052987-03ND
2018-05-098052987-04ND
2019-05-069052377-01REND
2019-05-069052377-03ND
2019-05-069052377-04ND