This ARS Technica article of a December 14 report written by three environmental engineers from Purdue University on the toxic releases from plastic pipes in Calif wildfire damaged areas, contaminating the water supply and water delivery to homes in the area, was eye opening (Tubbs—Napa/Sonoma/Lake Counties incl Santa Rosa; Camp Fire—Paradise; CZU Lightning Complex Fire—Santa Cruz).
A few years back we had a water line issue due to a bent copper pipe installed during the construction of our home that leaked and had to be replaced. We were given the option of copper (expensive) or PEX and went with copper as we were just not comfortable with the PEX for a few different reasons. I’m glad we stuck with the copper piping. As the article states homes, commercial properties, etc have been more and more built out with plastic pipe and plastic components. Good info on the heating of these pipes and the toxins they release even if not immediately affected by direct fire in the building. If you live in a wildfire damaged area or have a house that had fire damage and repaired, you should read this to be aware of what research is showing and be aware of the symptoms the toxicity can cause.
Plastic pipes are polluting drinking water systems after wildfires
With so much of California and other Western/Southwestern States affected by wildfires this could be a very challenging and costly issue. Doesn’t have to be wildfire related either so really can impact everyone.
A few years back we had a water line issue due to a bent copper pipe installed during the construction of our home that leaked and had to be replaced. We were given the option of copper (expensive) or PEX and went with copper as we were just not comfortable with the PEX for a few different reasons. I’m glad we stuck with the copper piping. As the article states homes, commercial properties, etc have been more and more built out with plastic pipe and plastic components. Good info on the heating of these pipes and the toxins they release even if not immediately affected by direct fire in the building. If you live in a wildfire damaged area or have a house that had fire damage and repaired, you should read this to be aware of what research is showing and be aware of the symptoms the toxicity can cause.
Plastic pipes are polluting drinking water systems after wildfires
With so much of California and other Western/Southwestern States affected by wildfires this could be a very challenging and costly issue. Doesn’t have to be wildfire related either so really can impact everyone.
