Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a manmade chemical and is the most common member of a class
CHEJ highlights several toxic chemicals and the communities fighting to keep their citizens safe from harm.
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are a class of chemical compounds which contain three halogen atoms. Common THMs include chloroform, fluoroform, and chlorodifluoromethane. While THMs are used in some industrial processes like refrigeration, people are most likely to be exposed to them through drinking water. Most water utilities use small amounts of chlorine as a disinfectant to keep water supplies clean. While adding chlorine is generally accepted to be an important practice to protect public health, this chlorine can react with organic matter in the water and create THMs. Drinking contaminated water is generally considered to be the most serious route of exposure to THMs, though one study has found that bathing with contaminated water causes even higher exposure. THMs are odorless and flavorless, so people may not know if they have been exposed.
Many types of THMs have adverse health effects upon exposure, and there are four that are known to be particularly harmful to human health:
Because of the danger of THM exposure, EPA regulates the maximum amount of total THMs allowed in tap water. While this can help keep people safe, regulating the total THMs may not necessarily be effective because each type of THM can cause health effects on their own. Furthermore, little is known about the health effects of simultaneous exposure to multiple THMs. EPA has maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) for each of the four THMs listed above, but these goals are not enforced by laws or regulations, so they have no power to keep people safe. Because most people get their water from chlorinated municipal water supplies, and because THMs have such serious health effects, more must be done to keep people safe from exposure. This includes more studies to understand the effects of simultaneous exposure to multiple THMs and enforceable standards for individual THMs in drinking water.
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a manmade chemical and is the most common member of a class
Federal environmental standards were created to protect the environment and human health. Regulations to limit
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in many consumer products
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in many consumer products