Occurrence of nonylphenol and bisphenol A in household water pipes made of different materials.
We assessed the occurrence of nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) in tap water supplied through polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, and galvanized pipes. Water samples were collected from selected households in Taipei and Kaohsiung (Northern and Southern Taiwan, respectively) in different seasons to elucidate the effects of pipeline materials and ambient temperatures on NP and BPA concentrations in tap water. We detected higher concentrations of NP in tap water from households using PVC pipes (64-195 ng/L) than from those using stainless steel pipes (17-44 ng/L) and galvanized pipes (27-96 ng/L). To verify that water can absorb NP and BPA from PVC pipes, we sealed Milli-Q and tap water in PVC and stainless steel pipes to assess the potential release of NP and BPA from the pipes into the water. Both NP and BPA concentrations initially increased with contact time in the PVC pipes, and the concentration profiles during the retention appeared to be more strongly affected by ambient temperatures. Concentration variations in the stainless steel pipes were smaller than those in the PVC pipes.
Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang-Chen
YC
Cheng
Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Huei-Wen
HW
Chen
Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wen-Ling
WL
Chen
Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chia-Yang
CY
Chen
Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. gswang@ntu.edu.tw.
Gen-Shuh
GS
Wang
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D013624:Taiwan; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification; D060753:Water Quality; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D060766:Drinking Water; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C025256:nonylphenol; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
Bisphenol A; Drinking water; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Household water pipes; Nonylphenol; Polyvinyl chloride