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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Acton MUD

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

64

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND60ND
20150.0455 ppb111ND - 0.500 ppb
20160.0647 ppb172ND - 0.600 ppb
2017ND70ND
2018ND100ND
2019ND130ND

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
2014-04-16Q1412086005ND
2014-08-18Q1437417008ND
2014-08-18Q1437417007ND
2014-08-18Q1437417011ND
2014-08-18Q1437417010ND
2014-08-18Q1437417009ND
2015-02-09Q1504919032ND
2015-02-09Q1504919025ND
2015-02-09Q1504919026ND
2015-02-09Q1504919027ND
2015-02-09Q1504919028ND
2015-02-09Q15049190290.500 ppb
2015-02-09Q1504919030ND
2015-02-09Q1504919031ND
2015-02-09Q1504919033ND
2015-10-27Q1542356010ND
2015-10-27Q1542356009ND
2016-01-19Q1602084037ND
2016-01-19Q1602084036ND
2016-01-19Q1602084035ND
2016-01-19Q1602084034ND
2016-01-19Q1602084033ND
2016-01-19Q1602084032ND
2016-01-19Q1602084031ND
2016-01-19Q1602084030ND
2016-01-19Q1602084027ND
2016-01-19Q1602084026ND
2016-01-19Q1602084025ND
2016-01-19Q1602084024ND
2016-01-19Q1602084023ND
2016-03-16Q1610933009ND
2016-05-31Q16213090080.500 ppb
2016-07-28Q16309510080.600 ppb
2016-11-30Q1652001005ND
2017-08-31Q1740574009ND
2017-08-31Q1740574045ND
2017-08-31Q1740574008ND
2017-08-31Q1740574007ND
2017-08-31Q1740574044ND
2017-10-05Q1749124033ND
2017-10-05Q1749124020ND
2018-03-28Q1812936028ND
2018-03-28Q1812936027ND
2018-03-28Q1812936026ND
2018-03-28Q1812936025ND
2018-03-28Q1812936024ND
2018-03-28Q1812936023ND
2018-05-01Q1817372014ND
2018-05-01Q1817372011ND
2018-05-01Q1817372012ND
2018-05-01Q1817372013ND
2019-01-10Q1901506010ND
2019-01-10Q1901506004ND
2019-03-26Q1912275041ND
2019-03-26Q1912275051ND
2019-03-26Q1912275050ND
2019-03-26Q1912275049ND
2019-03-26Q1912275048ND
2019-03-26Q1912275047ND
2019-03-26Q1912275046ND
2019-03-26Q1912275045ND
2019-03-26Q1912275044ND
2019-03-26Q1912275043ND
2019-03-26Q1912275042ND