Consumer Factsheet on: Dl (2-ETHYLHEXYL)
PHTHALATE
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies.
It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What is DEHP and how is it used?
Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate, or DEHP, is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called
phthalates or phthalic acid esters. The greatest use of DEHP is as a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride (PVC)
and other polymers including rubber, cellulose and styrene. A number of packaging materials and tubings
used in the production of foods and beverages are polyvinyl chloride contaminated with phthalic acid
esters, primarily DEHP.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using this chemical at home or
work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
DEHP
BEHP
Dioctyl phthalate
Pittsburgh PX-138
Platinol AH
RC Plasticizer DOP
Reomol D79P
Sicol 150
Staflex DOP
Truflex DOP
Vestinol AH
Vinicizer 80
Palatinol AH
Hercoflex 260
Kodaflex DOP
Mollan O
Nuoplaz DOP
Octoil
Eviplast 80
Fleximel
Flexol DOP
Good-rite GP264
Hatcol DOP
Ergoplast FDO
DAF 68
Bisoflex 81

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Why is DEHP being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of
chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels,
based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for phthalate has been set at zero because EPA believes this level of protection would not
cause any of the potential health problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible, considering the ability of public water systems to detect
and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 6 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and
resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this
contaminant should it occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these standards are met, are called
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found phthalate to potentially cause the following health effects when people are
exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: mild gastrointestinal
disturbances, nausea, vertigo.
Long-term: Phthalate has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels
above the MCL: damage to liver and testes; reproductive effects; cancer.
How much DEHP is produced and released to the environment?
Disposal of polyvinyl chloride and other DEHP-containing materials by incineration, landfill, etc., will result
in the release of DEHP into the environment. DEHP has been detected in the effluent of numerous
industrial plants.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, DEHP releases to land and
water totalled over 500,000 lbs., of which about 95 percent was to land. These releases were primarily
from rubber and plastic hose industries. The largest releases occurred in Wisconsin and Tennessee.
What happens to DEHP when it is released to the environment?
DEHP will adhere to soil, and so will neither evaporate nor leach into groundwater. DEHP has a strong
tendency to adsorb to soil and sediments. In water, it will be degraded by microbes in a matter of weeks.
DEHP does have a tendency to accumulate in aquatic organisms.
How will DEHP be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for phthalate became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water
supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one year and analyze them to find out if phthalate is
present above 0.6 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this
contaminant.

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If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to
reduce the amount of phthalate so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods
have been approved by EPA for removing phthalate: Granular activated charcoal.
How will I know if DEHP is in my drinking water?
If the levels of phthalate exceed the MCL, 6 ppb, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio,
TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be
required to prevent serious risks to public health.
Drinking Water Standards:
Mclg: zero
Mcl: 6 ppb
DEHP Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):

{Land
TOTALS' (in pounds)
16.910
(471,191
Top Five States*
Wl {500
255,000
TN 3.491
80,419
00
CD
CM
X
o
62,982

NJ 3.956
23,139

NY 500
13,284

Major Industries


Misc rubber products
p74
pi 1.900
Rubber, plastic hose
1*10
(80,019
Cyclic crudes, intermed.
p,099
12.200
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater than 100 lbs.
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local efforts to
protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking water. Your water bill or telephone book's government
listings are a good starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source of information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water in general, call: EPA's Safe
Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your state, contact the: Community
Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346

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