Toxicology of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in reclaimed wastewater and its removal options

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the typical endocrine disrupting chemicals found in water and wastewater. Concentrations of DEHP in water, wastewater and reclaimed wastewater are summarized based on published literatures. Concentrations of DEHP in source water for drinking or final sewage effluents sometimes definitely exceeded legal stipulations for DEHP limits in China. Although physicochemical and biological treatments are the main effective and practical technologies for DEHP removal from water or wastewater, they need further exploration. Novel sustainable treatment technology such as membrane separation processes is essentially needed.