News
Fire Safety

Plastic Piping Contaminated Water after Wildfires

Studies of communities impacted by wildfires found burned and melted plastic piping contaminated community water systems with high levels of carcinogenic benzene. Research from the American Water Works Association, “Smoke and Water… more

Fire Safety

Why would Congress add more dangers to firefighting?

A 2019 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) statement highlighted that plastic piping is a dangerous material in construction that causes airborne and waterborne contamination. Additionally, the IAFF notes that gasses released from plastics can cause long-term health risks to workers exposed to these products… more

Fire Safety

How to Pick the Safest Pipes for your Building

When choosing a piping material for a construction or renovation projects, builders should assess available information on the safety hazards that each presents. Installing materials that leach chemicals into water, create fire hazards, and threaten the environment put building occupants in real danger of both short- and long-term health risks. … more

Fire Safety

Considerations for Safe, Resilient Piping Systems​

Piping is a fundamental aspect of every building, delivering potable water, handling wastewater, and providing ventilation to help maintain air quality, among other functions. Current research has identified several issues to consider when evaluating the pipe and fittings in a building. … more

Fire Safety

Are Plastic Pipes Safe?

Are Plastic Pipes Safe? Piping material within a building plays a more critical role in safety than one might think, and homeowners, building owners, and contractors need to be aware of how… more

Microplastics

Humans Consume 39,000-52,000 Microplastics a Year

Humans Consume 39,000-52,000 Microplastics a Year Health Effects May Include Reproductive and Digestive Issues The rising concern around microplastics’ effect on water quality and human health has accelerated after a new study… more

Leaching

How Leaching Affects Water Quality

How Leaching Affects Water Quality When selecting pipes for drinking water systems, it’s critical to understand and evaluate the effect materials can have on water quality and human health. Clean water can… more

Leaching

Impacts of Pipe Leaching on Water

Impacts of Pipe Leaching on Water Chemical interactions between water and piping materials — typically oxidation — and the principles of osmosis mean all piping materials leach substances into water to som… more

Fire Safety

Drinking Water and Plumbing After the Camp Fire

Drinking Water and Plumbing After the Camp Fire By Julie Jenks, active volunteer at the Camp Fire Zone Project and Biology Instructor at Butte College About the Event Experts in plumbing and… more

Microplastics

How Do Microplastics Enter the Water Supply?

How Do Microplastics Enter the Water Supply? Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than five millimeters in length and represent a serious threat to the safety of our water. Microplastics releas… more

Leaching

Are Copper Pipes Safe?

Are Copper Pipes Safe? When considering piping options, a material’s safety should be a primary consideration along with reliability, durability and other performance factors. As a long-standing option for piping, it’s important… more

Microplastics

Water Quality and the Global Microplastic Crisis

Water Quality and the Global Microplastic Crisis The use of plastic piping has become commonplace, yet there is mounting evidence that plastic is directly damaging water quality. Over the past few years,… more