title: Degradation of specific aromatic compounds migrating from PEX pipes into drinking water.
abstract: Nine specific compounds identified to migrate from polyethylene (PE) and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) to drinking water were investigated for their degradation in drinking water. Three sample types were studied: field samples (collected at consumer taps), PEX pipe water extractions, and water samples spiked with target compounds. Four compounds were quantified in field samples at concentrations of 0.15-8.0 μg/L. During PEX pipe water extraction 0.42 ± 0.20 mg NVOC/L was released and five compounds quantified (0.5-6.1 μg/L). The degradation of these compounds was evaluated in PEX-pipe water extractions and spiked samples. 4-ethylphenol was degraded within 22 days. Eight compounds were, however, only partially degradable under abiotic and biotic conditions within the timeframe of the experiments (2-4 weeks). Neither inhibition nor co-metabolism was observed in the presence of acetate or PEX pipe derived NVOC. Furthermore, the degradation in drinking water from four different locations with three different water works was similar. In conclusion, eight out of the nine compounds studied would - if being released from the pipes - reach consumers with only minor concentration decrease during water distribution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: sury@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Sune Thyge
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ryssel
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: erar@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arvin
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: hhlu@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Hans-Christian Holten
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lützhøft
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: mieo@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Mikael Emil
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: z.prochazkova@aol.com.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Procházková
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: hana@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Hans-Jørgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Albrechtsen
mesh_terms: D003718:Denmark; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: Additives; Degradation; Drinking water; Migration; Polyethylene pipe; SPME-GC-MS