Buried potable waterpipes are susceptible to permeation by organic solvents. In studying piping made of PVC, asbestos/cement, and ductile iron, full‐pipe assemblies and laboratory bench techniques were employed. Elastomeric gaskets for all three systems become permeated, at least under exaggerated conditions. Results show that thermodynamic activity, as opposed to concentration, is the driving force. At solvent activities well above those encountered in typical soil, PVC is seen to be an effective barrier against permeation.
Activists in Europe have led the world in criticizing the potential formation of chlorinated organics, including dioxins in the manufacturing of PVC and its feedstocks. The Greenpeace publication “Dioxin Factories” claims that PVC manufacturing is the largest source of dioxins in the world and concludes that all PVC plants should be shut down. The environmentalist argument is that because some unfriendly compounds contain chlorine, all chlorine and chlorine derivative production should be banned. This review analyzes the debate, and using the Charles River Associates and CanTox Reports, comments on what is toxic and what would happen if all chlorine products were taken away.
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