Drinking water contamination from the thermal degradation of plastics: implications for wildfire and structure fire response
Open accessAbstract
Plastic pipes are susceptible to thermal degradation which can produce volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene that leach into drinking water.
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The origin of the benzene may include combustion of residential materials, thermal degradation or pyrolysis of plastic pipes, water meters, and other components of the water system itself, as well as wood smoke.
“The origin of the benzene may include the combustion of residential materials, thermal degradation or pyrolysis of plastic pipes, water meters, and other components of the water system itself, as well as wood smoke.7,16,17”
From Fire and Water: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination After a Major Wildfire (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies degraded water-system plastics and contaminated air or ash entering the system as possible sources of post-fire contamination; §3.2 shows that heated plastic pipes can release benzene into water. The paper also depicts a fire-damaged water meter, but does not establish benzene production from meters or identify wood smoke specifically as a source. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOne study showed evidence of kidney and liver tumors in both rats and mice, on the basis of which the U.S. EPA concluded that THF shows "suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential".
“One study showed evidence of kidney and liver tumors in both rats and mice, on the basis of which the U.S. EPA concluded that THF shows “suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential”.17”
From Fire and Water: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination After a Major Wildfire (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
Section 3.4 discusses compounds leaching from heated plastic pipes, and the Conclusion addresses VOC and SVOC contamination; neither reports a THF tumor study or the quoted EPA assessment. Searches for tetrahydrofuran, kidney and liver tumors, and “suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential” found no passage addressing the claim. Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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References 45 · Cited by 80
Research works printed but not linked: 10
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, List of Classifications by Cancer Sites with Sufficient or Limited Evidence in Humans, Lyons, France, 2020, vol. 1-113, available from: https://monographs.iarc.fr/agents-classified-by-the-iarc/.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories Tables, 2018.
- T. Feo, S. Evans, A. Mace, S. Brady and B. Lindsey, The Costs of Wildfire in California: An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information; Sacramento, 2020, available from: https://ccst.us/wp-content/uploads/The-Costs-of-Wildfire-in- California-FULL-REPORT.pdf.
- ASTM International, Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing 1, 2020, DOI: 10.1520/F0876-09.2. · DOI
- ASTM, Standard Specification for Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule, 2010, No. C, 2-7, DOI: 10.1520/ D2466-06.1. · DOI
- ASTM International, ASM F439-11 Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Hot-and Cold- Water Distribution Systmes, 2019, DOI: 10.1520/D2846. · DOI
- ASTM International, Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SIDR-PR) Based on Controlled Inside Diameter 1, 2012, DOI: 10.1520/D2239-12A.2. · DOI
- ASTM International, Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems, 2019, DOI: 10.1520/F2389- 15.2. · DOI
- J. Michal and J. Mitera, The Combustion Products of Polymeric Materials, Fire Mater., 1985, 9(3), 111-116.
- E. Reingruber and W. Buchberger, Analysis of Polyolefin Stabilizers and Their Degradation Products, J. Sep. Sci., 2010, 33(22), 3463-3475, DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201000493. · DOI
- Authors
- Isaacson, K. P., Proctor, C. R., Wang, Q. E., Edwards, E. Y., Noh, Y., Shah, A. D., & Whelton, A. J.
- Affiliations
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- Corresponding author
- Whelton, Andrew J.
- Venue
- Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Published
- 2021
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 274-284
- ISSN
- 2053-1400 (ISSN-L)
- 2053-1419
- OpenAlex
- W3111855157
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 3.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Environmental Science Water Research & Technology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Purdue University (Doctoral Fellowship Program, Lillian Gilbreth Fellowship Program)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (R836890)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Water Treatment and Disinfection
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Water Systems and Optimization
- Keywords
- thermal degradation, drinking water contamination, volatile organic compounds, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, wildfire response
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