Is Drinking Water Supplied in Plastic Pipes Harmful to Health?

Is Drinking Water Supplied in Plastic Pipes Harmful to Health?

By Dan DeBaun

As lead pipes gradually get phased out, pipe-in-pipe drinking water systems are being used more frequently to distribute water to homes. Potable drinking water is transported within the inner piper, which is constructed from a type of plastic known as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). But does this plastic have any harmful health affects or adversely affect the taste and smell of the water that flows through the pipes? Several research studies have revealed that plastic piping can leach substances that cause drinking water to have an unpleasant taste and odor, and may even be carcinogenic. Plastic piping

Plastic piping used for plumbing

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health investigated what contaminants leached from plastic pipes, and examined whether these substances were harmful to human health or adversely affected the taste and odor of drinking water. The leached contaminants consisted of residues of chemicals added during the manufacturing process together with chemicals formed during the breakdown of these products. Using a standardized laboratory test, where water was left in contact with the plastic pipes for 72 hours, the researchers looked at ten different varieties of PEX piping products available in Norway, testing each type of pipe for products released as a result of leaching. Three different methods are used during the manufacturing process to produce either PEX-a, PEX-b or PEX-c pipes. While the chemical additives applied to each manufacturing process differs slightly, the study found no differences between the production process and leached products. The results of this study, which were published in the Journal of Water and Health, revealed that while concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that leached from new plastic pipes were typically low, two of the most commonly leached products were methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and 2.4-di-tert-butyl-phenol. In three types of plastic pipe MTBE levels were detected at higher levels than those recommended by the EPA for drinking water taste and odor. However, these levels were reduced to below the acceptable limits for drinking water standards after the pips had been used for some time. While the study showed that drinking water from plastic pipes does not pose a risk to human health, some PEX pipes may produce prolonged unpleasant taste and odor symptoms, particular when pipes are new and when water is left standing in pipes for long periods of time without being flushed. Although these symptoms usually disappear with use, water from two types of plastic PEX pipes still smelled and tasted bad one year later. Have you recently replaced your old metal pipes with plastic alternatives and are left disappointed because your drinking water has a lingering unpleasant taste and odor problem? This can easily be solved by filtering the water with a Berkey water filter to remove the contaminants that are the root of the problem, leaving you with a fresh, tasty supply of drinking water. Journal Reference: Vidar Lund, Mary Anderson-Glenna, Ingun Skjevrak, Inger-Lise Steffensen. Long-term study of migration of volatile organic compounds from cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes and effects on drinking water quality. Journal of Water and Health, 2011; 9 (3): 483 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2011.165

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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