What is DEHP?
DEHP is a colorless liquid with a slight odor. It is a man-made chemical added to plastics to make them flexible. DEHP can be present in many common items, including:
- Floor tiles
- Upholstery and fabric
- Rainwear
- Shoes
- Packaging film
- Tablecloths
- Shower curtains
- Garden hoses
- Paints
- Coatings on wires and cables
- Medical tubing
In the United States, the use of DEHP has been discontinued in children’s toys, childcare items (like pacifiers, rattles, and teethers), and food packaging. Many companies have started using alternatives to DEHP to make medical equipment.
How can I be exposed to DEHP?
Due to its widespread use in plastics, DEHP is found throughout the environment - usually at low levels.
People are most often exposed by eating food stored in plastic containers made with DEHP. People, especially children, can also be exposed to DEHP by swallowing contaminated dust.
Exposure can also occur during medical procedures if plastic tubing is used that contains DEHP. Such procedures may include blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, and use of respirators.
DEHP from plastic waste can get into soil at hazardous waste disposal sites and municipal landfills. People living near these sites may be exposed to DEPH in their air and drinking water.
How can DEHP affect my health?
Scientific evidence shows DEHP toxicity may harm the male reproductive system. Adult animals that ate DEHP showed decreased fertility. They also had damage to the testes, liver, and kidneys.
DEHP may also harm a developing fetus. Some studies show exposure to high levels of DEHP during pregnancy may lead to preterm birth. It may also affect development later in life. Timing of puberty may be altered, mental development may be delayed, and testicles may not properly descend.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that DEHP is a probable human carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer). Animals exposed to high levels of DEHP for a long time developed cancers of the liver, pancreas, and testes.
What is the drinking water standard for DEHP?
The EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is 0.006 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
In Massachusetts, local Boards of Health and Health Departments have the authority to regulate private wells. This may include setting criteria for their location, construction, water quality, and quantity. More information for residents who use private wells is available from MassDEP.
What are the testing requirements for DEHP?
In Massachusetts, public water systems are required to test for DEHP for four consecutive quarters (every three months for one year) and repeat every three years. Based on the results, testing may occur less often with approval by MassDEP.
Available data
Use the Explore drinking water data link on this page to access the following measures for DEHP in drinking water:
- Annual average concentration ranges by number of Community Water Systems and people served
- Annual maximum concentration by number of Community Water Systems and people served
- Annual average concentration by Community Water System
- Drinking water violations by Community Water System
MA EPHT presents data for the following geographies: city/town, county, EP region, or EOHHS region. Data are provided for public water systems only. The most current available data will be shown. Be sure to check the site periodically as new data are added.
Additional resources
Massachusetts
- MassDEP guide to water quality testing for private wells: Recommended water quality testing for private wells
National
- EPA updates on risk evaluation for DEHP: Draft risk evaluation conducted by EPA released in June 2025
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs on Di(2-thylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP): Frequently asked health questions on DEHP