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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Pritchett Water Supply Corporation

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.

 

38

Samples

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
20150.577 ppb132ND - 7.00 ppb
2016ND80ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND100ND
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
2015-03-12Q1509329001ND
2015-06-23Q1523522003ND
2015-06-23Q15235220197.00 ppb
2015-06-23Q1523522020ND
2015-06-23Q1523522004ND
2015-06-23Q1523522005ND
2015-06-23Q15235220060.500 ppb
2015-06-23Q1523522007ND
2015-06-23Q1523522008ND
2015-06-23Q1523522009ND
2015-06-23Q1523522010ND
2015-09-04Q1534659001ND
2015-11-18Q1545634001ND
2016-02-25Q1608021013ND
2016-05-25Q1620685005ND
2016-05-25Q1620685001ND
2016-08-01Q1631456004ND
2016-08-01Q1631456001ND
2016-10-24Q1645066002ND
2016-10-24Q1645066021ND
2016-10-24Q1645066001ND
2017-03-02Q1709045001ND
2017-04-19Q1716429001ND
2017-07-20Q1729911001ND
2017-08-29Q1739153001ND
2018-06-05Q1822214032ND
2018-06-05Q1822214025ND
2018-06-05Q1822214026ND
2018-06-05Q1822214027ND
2018-06-05Q1822214028ND
2018-06-05Q1822214029ND
2018-06-05Q1822214030ND
2018-06-05Q1822214031ND
2018-06-05Q1822214033ND
2018-06-05Q1822214034ND
2019-10-15Q1972651038ND
2019-10-15Q1972651039ND
2019-10-15Q1972651007ND