What is Tetradecanoic acid* and Why Does It Matter?

Tetradecanoic Acid (Myristic Acid): What It Is and What to Know

Tetradecanoic acid — more commonly known as myristic acid — is a naturally occurring saturated fatty acid. It shows up in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, dairy products, and animal fats. In water supplies, it typically enters through agricultural runoff, food processing wastewater, or the breakdown of organic matter in soil and sediment. It's not a synthetic industrial chemical, but that doesn't mean its presence in drinking water is something to ignore. Across 12 water systems where it has been detected, concentrations averaged 3.637 parts per billion (ppb), with the highest recorded level reaching 6.02 ppb.

The health research on myristic acid in drinking water is still limited compared to more studied contaminants like lead or arsenic. What scientists do know comes largely from dietary studies. At high dietary intake levels, myristic acid raises LDL cholesterol — the kind linked to heart disease — more than most other saturated fats (WHO). However, the amounts found in tap water are far smaller than what you'd consume through food. That said, chronic low-level exposure through drinking water adds to your overall daily load, and researchers haven't fully established a safe threshold for waterborne exposure specifically. Vulnerable groups — including infants, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular conditions — may want to take extra precaution.

The EPA has not set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for tetradecanoic acid in drinking water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also does not currently list a specific health guideline for this compound. That regulatory gap means water utilities aren't required to reduce it, even when it's detected. The asterisk (*) attached to its name in water quality reports typically signals that it was identified during testing but falls outside standard regulated contaminant lists. None of the 12 systems where it was found reported levels above any established guideline — largely because no binding guideline exists. That's not necessarily reassuring. The absence of a limit doesn't mean the absence of risk.

Geographically, all 12 detections come from Texas. That pattern makes sense when you consider the state's land use. Texas has a massive agricultural footprint — cattle ranching, dairy farming, and large-scale food processing operations all produce organic byproducts that can leach into groundwater and surface water. Runoff from feedlots and processing facilities carries fatty acids like myristic acid into nearby waterways. From there, it can reach municipal water treatment plants, which aren't always designed to remove this type of compound. Communities near agricultural corridors in central and south Texas are most likely to see these detections in their water reports.

The good news is that tetradecanoic acid is removable. Because it's a fatty acid with a relatively large molecular structure, it doesn't pass easily through fine filtration membranes. Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration is the most effective option — a quality RO system removes up to 99% of organic compounds in this size range. Activated carbon filters also reduce fatty acid concentrations, though they're generally more effective as a first-stage pre-filter paired with RO rather than as a standalone solution. If you're in Texas and your water comes from a source near agricultural land, checking your latest water quality report is a smart first step. Echo Water's reverse osmosis systems are designed to handle exactly this kind of organic contamination — giving you cleaner water without having to become a water chemistry expert to get there. Knowing what's in your water is half the battle. Filtering it out is the easy part.

Regulatory Standards for Tetradecanoic acid*

Cities With the Highest Tetradecanoic acid* Levels

States Most Affected by Tetradecanoic acid*

Frequently Asked Questions

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