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ORGANIC AND ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS LEACHED FROM PVC AND CPVC PIPE
Citation:
Boettner, E., G. Ball, Z. Hollingsworth, AND R. Aquino. ORGANIC AND ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS LEACHED FROM PVC AND CPVC PIPE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/1-81/062.
Description:
The primary objective of this research program was to determine whether organotins, contained in heat stabilizers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe, and other organics present in pipe sealing cement solvents may leach into potable water supplies. Analytical methods for concentrating, separating identifying, and quantitating these chemicals were evaluated. The hydride generation/atomic absorption methods of Hodge, Braman, and others and a Grignard derivatization technique, followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, were used to characterize samples of standard extractant water exposed to PVC and CPVC pipe, both fragmented and loops constructed using pipe cement. Analyses revealed that alkyltin species and organic pipe cement solvents can leach into potable water. The organotin leaching appears to occur in a biphasic manner. The concentration of dimethyltin (as dichloride) in the extract water exposed to a PVC pipe loop at 37C was 45 ppb on Day 1 and decreased from 3.0-0.25 ppb/24 hrs from Days 2-22. The concentration of butyltin (as dichloride) in the extractant water exposed to a CPVC pipe loop at 72C was 2.6 ppb on Day 1 and decreased from 1.0 to 0.03 ppb/24 hrs during the ensuing 21 days. Methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexanone leached into the water in a miniature pipe loop for more than 14 days. The concentrations of these solvents ranged from 10 ppm to 10 ppb. This data and analytical technology will enable the development of a better understanding of the health hazards associated with the transport of potable water in PVC and CPVC pipes.