PFAS Substances: Not a Concern for PVC Pipe

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,700 compounds made up of fluorinated carbon chains. PFAS are commonly used across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, cosmetics, and electronics, and are found in products like firefighting foam and non-stick cookware. Some PFAS compounds have been identified as harmful to human health. This document aims to reassure utilities and their customers that PVC pipes do not contribute to the presence of PFAS in drinking water. Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water PFAS can contaminate drinking water due to widespread environmental pollution. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established national primary drinking water standards for six types of PFAS, limiting the permissible amounts in potable water systems. PFAS: Not From PVC Materials or Manufacturing PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is primarily made from PVC resin, combined with other ingredients to form a compound that is extruded to make the pipe. Importantly, PVC pipes do not contain PFAS, and the manufacturing process does not create PFAS. According to the NSF-certified Environmental Product Declaration for PVC pipe, "no known per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with PVC pipe production." Furthermore, tests conducted by NSF have not detected PFAS in PVC pipes. All the ingredients used in the production of PVC pipes are publicly listed and verified as safe for use in drinking water systems. For this reason, the California State Water Quality Control Board has approved PVC as a material suitable for equipment used in PFAS water sample testing. PFAS: Not from PVC Pipeline Operations PVC pipe does not chemically react with the disinfectants used in public drinking water systems to form PFAS. Another concern is the potential for PFAS present in the environment to permeate PVC pipe walls and contaminate drinking water. A study by Ruta et al. (2019) assessed the potential for 29 PFAS compounds to permeate PVC and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. Since HDPE is more permeable than PVC, the study focused on HDPE. Even after six months of being submerged in PFAS solutions, no PFAS passed through the pipe walls. Given that PVC is less permeable than HDPE, the study concluded that PFAS would not permeate PVC pipe. PVC pipes also provide strong protection against the permeation of other harmful chemicals from the environment, safeguarding drinking water quality. PVC Pipe: A Safe Choice PVC pipe has a proven track record of safety, reliability, and long-term performance for clean drinking water delivery. For over 70 years, PVC pipes have been used by more than 50,000 utilities across the U.S. and Canada, with over 1.5 million miles of in-service pipelines. Over 10 million quality control tests conducted by independent laboratories and government agencies consistently confirm that PVC pipe is a safe and effective option for water distribution. In conclusion, PVC pipes offer a reliable and PFAS-free solution for the safe delivery of clean drinking water. To Know More: https://www.uni-bell.org/Blogs/Pipe-Issues-Blog/Post/3744/PFAS-Substances-Not-a-Concern-for-PVC-Pipe

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