New Study Confirms Plastic Pipe Thermal Degradation as Source of Water Contamination in Fire Events
The study concludes that thermally damaged drinking water pipes can be sources of VOC leaching.
Chemical Leaching from Plastic Pipes
Andrew Whelton’s latest study confirms that plastic drinking water pipes release benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply when exposed to extreme heat.
Building Materials Matter: Firefighters Burdened by Facility Infrastructure
The leading cause of occupational deaths for firefighters is cancer, killing two out of three firefighters who die in the line of duty. Plastic fuels much of the toxic smoke that threatens firefighter health.
Top Piping Safety Researcher Urges Awareness & Action on Post-Wildfire Water Contamination
Top Piping Safety Researcher Urges Awareness & Action on Post-Wildfire Water Contamination When wildfires rage through areas with plastic water infrastructure, populations lose access to clean drinking water due to toxic contaminants that leach from the melted pipes. In recent years, wildfires such as the Tubbs Fire (2017) in Santa Rosa and the Camp Fire […]
Study: PVC Pipes Emit Dangerous Contaminants in Air, Water, Amplifying Fire Risks
The study urges that the presence of plastic piping (HDPE, PP, PVC) in areas prone to fire risks creates “serious impacts on environment, public health and infrastructure.
No Paradise: Water Contamination Demonstrates Importance of Safe Piping
No Paradise: Water Contamination Demonstrates Importance of Safe Piping After the tragic Camp Fire in Paradise, California, the region’s drinking water became contaminated when heat-damaged plastic pipes leached chemicals into the water supply. Testing found high amounts of benzene, above 500 parts per billion (ppb) in the water, grossly higher than CA’s limit of 1 […]
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 engineering from Purdue University held a community event entitled “Drinking Water and Plumbing After the Camp Fire” on Thursday June 27, 2019 at […]
Plumbing and Firefighting Associations Call for Plastic Piping Ban
Plumbing and Firefighting Associations Call for Plastic Piping Ban The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the United Association of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Service Techs (UA) recently called for a ban on plastic piping in hospitals, nursing facilities, high rise residential structures, and healthcare facilities. Using materials other than plastic will reduce […]
Fires Melt Plastic Pipes and Release Carcinogens into Water Supplies
Fires Melt Plastic Pipes and Release Carcinogens into Water Supplies As fires like the devastating Camp Fire occur nationwide, water quality crises have become part of the aftermath. In recent years wildfires have claimed cities, communities and millions of acres of land. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 10 million acres burned in 2017, 8.8 […]